Let Nature be your Teacher on Earth Day Project Wisdom Leadership Lesson Let Nature be your Teacher on Earth Day Project Wisdom # 27 April 22, 2014 2:55 pm

A few Words of Wisdom Good morning, South Seminole. This is Mr. Bess, Assistant Principal Nature is filled with amazing creatures of every kind, vast oceans, majestic mountains, and starry skies. Our planet is truly magnificent. William Wordsworth once wrote that we should Let nature be [our] teacher. That's an interesting thought, isn't it? So how can we let nature be our teacher? Well, for one thing, we can study which values we need if we are going to protect the earth and our environment.

For example, are we being respectful of the earth For example, are we being respectful of the earth? Are we being fair to future generations when we make choices about how we use or abuse nature's resources? Are we being trustworthy with our parks, our trees, our lakes, and our rivers? Today, make one very specific contribution to the environment. Pick up litter. Recycle. Plant a tree. Make a promise to put your values into action and do your part. With something to think about, this is Mr. Bess. Make it a great day… or not. The choice is yours.

Learning Goal The students will understand how important it is to respect our earth and its resources, and will consider the wisdom to be gained from observation of our natural world.

Group Discussion 1. Share examples of how observing nature can impact a person's character (e.g. stargazing can foster humility, observing an ant colony can instruct us in teamwork and cooperation) 2. Natural disasters can be heartbreaking for hundreds and thousands of individuals. What character traits seem to emerge in people as a result of a devastating act of nature. Is this an example of nature teaching us? Why or why not? 3. What can you do or are you doing to protect the earth and the environment? What values are you putting into action by doing these things?

Student Activity Nature is a teacher in many ways. It can teach you to be patient. It can teach you about beauty, perseverance, and respect. Everyday we have opportunities to give back to the earth by protecting it, cleaning it, and preserving its resources. 1. There is a connection between being a person of character and protecting the environment. What is that connection? ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

2. Write about a character trait you learned from an experience with nature, whether it was skygazing, camping, or taking care of a house plant. What happened, and what value did you learn from that experience? ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ _________________________________________

3. What is your biggest environmental concern 3. What is your biggest environmental concern? Does a lack of character on the part of some human beings negatively impact this problem? How? What is the solution? What can you do to be part of the solution? ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________