Parent & Educator Toolkit

Teachers, Child Care Providers, Children’s Librarians, and Parents!

The Children's Environmental Health Committee of the American Public Health Association curated some excellent resources on how the environment affects human health just for you, whether you want to plan a book reading, an educational game or activity, or incorporate a lesson plan into your class. A number of these activities can be performed at home during school closures!

By Grade Level

Pre-K

ResourceAuthor/SourceTypeTopic
Ethan's House Gets Healthier With a Visit From the Lead Poisoning Prevention TeamCDC National Center for Environmental HealthBook; ActivitiesLead Hazards
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity BookHuntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc.ActivitiesVaried
Kids Environment Kids HealthNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Parent Group Orientation on Lead Poisoning PreventionWisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational HealthWebsite of various resourcesLead hazards
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Resources for EducatorsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Lead Poisoning Curriculum for Preschool Children and Their FamiliesNY State Department of Public HealthLesson plansLead hazards
Earth Day Education Resource LibraryEarthDay NetworkLesson plans; ActivitiesVaried; Climate Change
One Plastic BagMiranda PaulBookVaried
The Tantrum That Saved The WorldMegan Herbert and Michael E. MannVideoClimate Change

K-4

ResourceAuthor/SourceTypeTopic
The Lead DetectivesSusan Taylor BrownBookLead hazards
Ethan's House Gets Healthier With a Visit From the Lead Poisoning Prevention TeamCDC National Center for Environmental HealthBook; ActivitiesLead hazards
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity BookHuntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc.ActivitiesVaried
Kids Environment Kids HealthNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for EducatorsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Environmental Justice Unit Designed for 3rd and 4th GradeJenna HarmsenLesson plansEnvironmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human HealthU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyLesson plansVaried
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners)Lesson plans; ActivitiesLead Hazards

5-8

ResourceAuthor/SourceTypeTopic
Environment and Health A to ZNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesBookVaried
Mayah’s LotCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformBook (Graphic Novel)Environmental justice
ToxTown: Science Classroom (Grades 6-8)NIH U.S. National Library of MedicineWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Kids Environment Kids HealthNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for EducatorsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Environmental Justice (Grade 7)Learning to GiveLesson plansEnvironmental justice
Analyzing Environmental JusticeTeaching ToleranceLesson plansEnvironmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human HealthU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyLesson plansVaried
Recipes for Healthy Kids and a Healthy EnvironmentU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyLesson plansVaried
Environmental Justice Mini LessonWE ACT for Environmental JusticeLesson plans; ActivitiesEnvironmental Justice
Bina’s PlantCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformBook (Graphic novel)Environmental Justice
Bad Future, Better FutureNew York Times – Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-KottasOnline storyClimate Change
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners)Lesson plans; ActivitiesLead Hazards
RadTown Classroom Materials: RadonU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyLesson plans; ActivitiesRadon Hazards

9-12

ResourceAuthor/SourceTypeTopic
The Story of HealthATSDR, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Science and Environmental Health Network, Western States PESHUBook (e-book)Varied
Environment and Health A to ZNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesBookVaried
Mayah’s LotCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformBook (Graphic novel)Environmental justice
Kids Environment Kids HealthNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesWebsite of various resourcesVaried
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for EducatorsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyWebsite of various resourcesVaried
A Student Exploration of the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health & Vector-borne DiseaseNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesLesson plansClimate change
Climate Change and Human Health Lesson PlansNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesLesson plansClimate change
The Science Behind Climate ChangeJust Health ActionLesson plansEnvironmental justice
Lesson Plan: Environmental RacismAmerican Sociological AssociationLesson plansEnvironmental justice
Analyzing Environmental JusticeTeaching ToleranceLesson plansEnvironmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human HealthU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyLesson plansVaried
Hydroville Curriculum ProjectOregon State UniversityLesson plansVaried
Putney Pre-College and Harvard ChanPutney Pre-College and Harvard ChanLesson plansClimate Change
Environmental Justice Mini LessonWE ACT for Environmental JusticeLesson-plans; ActivitiesEnvironmental Justice
Bina’s PlantCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformBook (Graphic novel)Environmental Justice
Community Environmental Health (CEH) KitsUniversity of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences CenterActivities; PresentationsVaried
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(designed with over 200 tribal partners)Lesson plans; ActivitiesLead Hazards
RadTown Classroom Materials: RadonU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyLesson plans; ActivitiesRadon Hazards
APHA Climate and Health CurriculumAmerican Public Health AssociationLesson plansClimate Change

By Resource Type

Books

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention TeamCDC National Center for Environmental HealthPre-K, K-4Lead hazards
Environment and Health A to ZNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesGrades 5-12Varied
Mayah’s LotCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformGrades 5-12Environmental justice
The Story of HealthATSDR, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Science and Environmental Health Network, Western States PESHUGrades 9-12+Varied
One Plastic BagMiranda PaulPre-KVaried
The Tantrum that Saved the WorldMegan Herbert and Michael E. MannPre-KClimate Change
Bina’s PlantCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformGrades 5-12+Environmental Justice

Activities

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity BookHuntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc.Pre-K, K-4Varied
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention TeamCDC National Center for Environmental HealthPre-K, K-4Lead hazards
Environmental Justice Mini LessonWE ACT for Environmental JusticeGrades 5-12+Environmental Justice
EarthDay Education Resource LibraryEarthDay NetworkPre-K-12+Varied; Climate Change
Community Environmental Health (CEH) KitsUniversity of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences CenterGrades 9-12+Varied
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners)Grades k-4, 5-8, 9-12+Lead Hazards
RadTown Classroom Materials: RadonU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGrades 5-8, 9-12+Radon Hazards

Websites

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
Parent Group Orientation on Lead Poisoning PreventionWisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational HealthPre-KLead Hazards
Kids Environment Kids HealthNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesPre-K – Grade 12Varied
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for EducatorsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyPre-K – Grade 12Varied
ToxTown: Science Classroom (Grades 6-8)NIH U.S. National Library of MedicineGrades 6-8Varied
Bad Future, Better FutureNew York Times – Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-KottasGrades 5-8Climate Change

Lesson Plans

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
Lesson Plan: Environmental RacismAmerican Sociological AssociationGrades 9-12Environmental justice
Lead Poisoning Curriculum for Preschool Children and Their FamiliesNY State Department of Public HealthPre-KLead Hazards
Envrionmental Justice Unit Designed for 3rd and 4th GradeJenna HarmsenGrades 3-4Environmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human HealthU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGrades 4-12Varied
Recipes for Healthy Kids and a Healthy EnvironmenU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGrades 5-8Varied
Analyzing Environmental JusticeTeaching ToleranceGrades 6-12Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice (Grade 7)Learning to GiveGrade 7Environmental Justice
Hydroville Curriculum ProjectOregon State UniversityGrades 9-12Varied
A Student Exploration of the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health & Vector-borne DiseaseNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesGrades 9-12Climate Change
Climate Change and Human Health Lesson PlansNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesGrades 9-12+Climate Change
Environmental Justice CurriculumJust Health ActionGrades 9-12+Environmental Justice
C-CHANGE Educational Resources on Climate, Health, and COVID-19Putney Pre-College and Harvard ChanGrades 9-12+Climate Change
Bad Future, Better FutureNew York Times – Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-KottasGrades 5-8Climate Change
Environmental Justice Mini LessonWE ACT for Environmental JusticeGrades 5-8Environmental Justice
EarthDay Education Resource LibraryEarthDay NetworkPre-K-12+Varied; Climate Change
Community Environmental Health (CEH) KitsUniversity of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences CenterGrades 9-12+Varied
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners)Grades k-4, 5-8, 9-12+Lead Hazards
RadTown Classroom Materials: RadonU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGrades 5-8, 9-12+Radon Hazards
APHA Climate and Health CurriculumAmerican Public Health AssociationGrades 9-12+Climate Change

By Topic

Lead Hazards

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
Lead Poisoning Curriculum for Preschool Children and Their FamiliesNY State Department of Public HealthPre-KLesson Plans
Parent Group Orientation on Lead Poisoning PreventionWisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational HealthPre-KWebsite of various resources
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention TeamCDC National Center for Environmental HealthPre-K, K-4Book; Activity
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners)Grades k-4, 5-8, 9-12+Lesson Plans; Activities

Climate Change

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
A Student Exploration of the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health & Vector-borne DiseaseNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesGrades 9-12Lesson Plans
Climate Change and Human Health Lesson PlansNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesGrades 9-12+Lesson Plans
C-CHANGE Educational Resources on Climate, Health, and COVID-19Putney Pre-College and Harvard ChanGrades 9-12+Lesson Plans
EarthDay Education Resource LibraryEarthDay NetworkPre-K-12+Lesson Plans; Activities
The Tantrum that Saved the WorldMegan Herbert and Michael E. MannPre-KBook
Bad Future, Better FutureNew York Times – Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-KottasGrades 5-8Online Story
APHA Climate and Health CurriculumAmerican Public Health AssociationGraces 9-12+Lesson plans

Environmental Justice

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
Lesson Plan: Environmental RacismAmerican Sociological AssociationGrades 9-12Lesson plans
Envrionmental Justice Unit Designed for 3rd and 4th GradeJenna HarmsenGrades 3-4Lesson plans
Mayah’s LotCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformGrades 5-12Book (graphic novel)
Analyzing Environmental JusticeTeaching ToleranceGrades 6-12Lesson plans
Environmental Justice (Grade 7)Learning to GiveGrade 7Lesson plans
Environmental Justice curriculumJust Health ActionGrades 9-12+Lesson plans
Environmental Justice Mini LessonWE ACT for Environmental JusticeGrades 5-8, 9-12+Lesson plans; Activities
Bina’s PlantCUNY Center for Urban Environmental ReformGrades 5-8, 9-12+Book (graphic novel)

Varied

ResourceAuthor/SourceGrade LevelTopic
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity BookHuntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc.Pre-K, K-4Activities
Kids Environment Kids HealthNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesPre-K – Grade 12Website of various resources
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for EducatorsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyPre-K – Grade 12Website of various resources
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human HealthU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGrades 4-12Lesson plans
Recipes for Healthy Kids and a Healthy EnvironmentU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGrades 5-8Lesson plans
Environment and Health A to ZNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesGrades 5-12Book
ToxTown: Science Classroom (Grades 6-8)NIH U.S. National Library of MedicineGrades 6-8Website of various resources
Hydroville Curriculum ProjectOregon State UniversityGrades 9-12Lesson plans
The Story of HealthATSDR, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Science and Environmental Health Network, Western States PESHUGrades 9-12+Book (e-book)
EarthDay Education Resource LibraryEarthDay NetworkPre-K-12+Lesson plans; Activities
One Plastic BagMiranda PaulPre-KBook
Community Environmental Health (CEH) KitsUniversity of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences CenterGrades 9-12+Activities; Presentations
RadTown Classroom Materials: RadonU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGrades 5-8, 9-12+Lesson plans; Activities