Will our state survive the next 100 years?
Every state is uniquely great. From coastlines to mountains to rolling prairies, our landscape is diverse. In this project, students will become aware of the need for a sustainable world by focusing directly on their own state’s sustainability. They will use their creativity to design a book about their state that informs readers how small changes can develop a more sustainable world. Finally, they’ll publish their book and sell it for a charitable cause.
Imagine if thousands of kids just like yours were able to promote sustainable practices and become agents of change. What an incredible force for good!
What’s included in your project?
Project Plan and Resources
Learning Targets
Lesson 1: Students understand the importance of sustainability.
Lesson 2: Students expand their understanding of the importance of sustainability.
Lesson 3: Students learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Lesson 4: Students conduct research to gather relevant information about their state.
Lesson 5: Students create an infographic that represents their UN Sustainable Development Goal.
Lesson 6: Students create a rough draft of their state book pages.
Lesson 7: Students revise their writing to improve upon their ideas.
Lesson 8: Students use technology to create a published book.
For lesson descriptions, download the project overview.
For K–8 content connections, download the content correlations.
Online Resources
Interactive Games and Activities
- Fish On! Card Game*
- Fish On! Math Activity
- Fish On! Simulator
- State Book Pages Template
- Wear It, Share It Game
- Would You Rather…? Game
Websites and Videos
- Book Creator
- Google Slides
- Kindle Direct Publishing
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Union of Concerned Scientists
- Video: Nature Now
- Video: The Future is Now
- Video: The Lorax Read-Aloud
- Video: The World’s Largest Lesson
- Video: Tragedy of the Commons*
- Video: UN Sustainable Development Goals – Overview
- Video: What is Sustainable Development?
Additional Resources
- 5 Steps to Making an Infographic Resource
- Book List
- Editing and Revising Nonfiction Checklist
- Home Letter
- Infographic Examples
- Kid-Safe Search Sites
- Nonfiction Text Features Resource
- Press Release
- Reflection Journal
- Scientific Explanation Resource
- State by State Research Map*
- Student Book Planning Page
- Student Self-Assessment Rubric
- Teacher Assessment Rubric
- Tragedy of the Commons Vocabulary Review
- Virtual Student Edition
All lessons include:
- In-person, virtual, and hybrid options
- Modifications for primary grade students and/or emerging readers
About the Author
Paul Solarz
4th Grade Teacher
Westgate Elementary School
Arlington Heights, IL
Each Blue Apple Project Includes:
- Engaging lessons designed to make learning memorable, meaningful, and fun
- Curated online resources to save you time searching for content
- In-person, virtual, and hybrid options for all learning environments
- Cross-curricular mini-lessons in English-Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning
- Videos and contact info provided by real-world experts willing to meet with your students
- Opportunities to collaborate with other classrooms doing the same project
- Free project supplies to get you started right away
