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!

Browse the collection below by either Grade Level, Resource Type, or Topic. [popup_anything id="11160"]

 

Pre-K Resources

Resource Author/Source Type Topic
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention Team CDC National Center for Environmental Health Book; Activities Lead hazards
Series of Ready Wrigley books CDC Center for Preparedness and Response Book; Activities Disaster preparedness
Healthy World, Healthy You Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center and Transdisciplinary Center on Early Environmental Exposures Book; Activities Varied
Healthy Home, Healthy Child Activity Book Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health Book; Activities Varied
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity Book Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc. Activities Varied
Kids Environment Kids Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Website of various resources Varied
Parent Group Orientation on Lead Poisoning Prevention Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health Website of various resources Lead hazards
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website of various resources Varied
Lead poisoning curriculum for preschool children and their families NY State Department of Public Health Lesson plans Lead hazards
EarthDay Education Resource Library EarthDay Network Lesson plans; Activities Varied; Climate Change
One Plastic Bag Miranda Paul Book Varied
The Tantrum that Saved the World Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann Book Climate Change
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners) Lesson plans; Activities Lead Hazards

 

 

K-4 Resources

Resource Author/Source Type Topic
The Lead Detectives Susan Taylor Brown Book Lead hazards
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention Team CDC National Center for Environmental Health Book; Activities Lead hazards
Series of Ready Wrigley books CDC Center for Preparedness and Response Book; Activities Disaster preparedness
Healthy World, Healthy You Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center and Transdisciplinary Center on Early Environmental Exposures Book; Activities Varied
Healthy Home, Healthy Child Activity Book Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health Book; Activities Varied
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity Book Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc. Activities Varied
Kids Environment Kids Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Website of various resources Varied
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website of various resources Varied
Ready Kids National Public Service Campaign Website of various resources Disaster preparedness
Envrionmental Justice Unit Designed for 3rd and 4th Grade Jenna Harmsen Lesson plans; Environmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human Health U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lesson plans; Varied
Toxicology, Risk Assessment and Pollution (Tox RAP) Rutgers/NIEHS/Center of Excellence at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute Lesson plans; Varied
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners) Lesson plans; Activities Lead Hazards

 

 

Grades 5-8 Resources

Resource Author/Source Type Topic
Environment and Health A to Z National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Book Varied
Mayah's Lot CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Book (Graphic Novel) Environmental justice
Ready Kids National Public Service Campaign Website of various resources Disaster preparedness
ToxTown: Science Classroom (Grades 6-8) NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine website of various resources Varied
Kids Environment Kids Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Website of various resources Varied
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website of various resources Varied
The Science Behind Climate Change Scholastic Lesson plans Climate change
Environmental Justice (Grade 7) Learning to Give Lesson plans Environmental justice
Analyzing Environmental Justice Teaching Tolerance Lesson plans Environmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human Health U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lesson plans Varied
Recipes for Healthy Kids and a Healthy Environment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lesson plans Varied
Toxicology, Risk Assessment and Pollution (Tox RAP) Rutgers/NIEHS/Center of Excellence at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute Lesson plans Varied
Environmental Justice Mini Lesson WE ACT for Environmental Justice Lesson plans; Activities Environmental Justice
Bina's Plant CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Book (Graphic novel) Environmental Justice
Bad Future, Better Future New York Times - Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-Kottas Online story Climate Change
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (designed with over 200 tribal partners) Lesson plans; Activities Lead Hazards
RadTown Classroom Materials: Radon  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lesson plans; Activities Radon Hazards

 

 

Grades 9-12+ Resources

Resource Author/Source Type Topic
The Story of Health ATSDR, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Science and Environmental Health Network, Western States PESHU Book (e-book) Varied
Environment and Health A to Z National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Book Varied
Mayah's Lot CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Book (Graphic novel) Environmental justice
Ready Kids National Public Service Campaign Website of various resources Disaster preparedness
Kids Environment Kids Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Website of various resources Varied
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website of various resources Varied
A Student Exploration of the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health & Vector-borne Disease National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Lesson plans Climate change
Climate Change and Human Health Lesson Plans National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Lesson plans Climate change
The Science Behind Climate Change Scholastic Lesson plans Climate change
Environmental Justice curriculum Just Health Action Lesson plans Environmental justice
Lesson Plan: Environmental Racism American Sociological Association Lesson plans Environmental justice
Analyzing Environmental Justice Teaching Tolerance Lesson plans Environmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human Health U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lesson plans Varied
Hydroville Curriculum Project Oregon State University Lesson plans Varied
Toxicology, Risk Assessment and Pollution (Tox RAP) Rutgers/NIEHS/Center of Excellence at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute Lesson plans Varied
C-CHANGE Educational Resources on Climate, Health, and COVID-19 Putney Pre-College and Harvard Chan Lesson plans Climate Change
Environmental Justice Mini Lesson WE ACT for Environmental Justice Lesson-plans; Activities Environmental Justice
Bina's Plant CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Book (Graphic novel) Environmental Justice
Community Environmental Health (CEH) Kits University of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences Center Activities; Presentations Varied
Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy!  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(designed with over 200 tribal partners) Lesson plans; Activities Lead Hazards
RadTown Classroom Materials: Radon  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lesson plans; Activities Radon Hazards
APHA Climate and Health Curriculum  American Public Health Association Lesson plans Climate Change

 

 

Books

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Topic
The Lead Detectives Susan Taylor Brown Pre-K, K-4 Lead hazards
Series of Ready Wrigley books CDC Center for Preparedness and Response Pre-K, K-4 Disaster preparedness
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention Team CDC National Center for Environmental Health Pre-K, K-4 Lead hazards
Healthy World, Healthy You Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center and Transdisciplinary Center on Early Environmental Exposures Pre-K, K-4 Varied
Healthy Home, Healthy Child Activity Book Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health Pre-K, K-4 Varied
Environment and Health A to Z National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grades 5-12 Varied
Mayah's Lot CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Grades 5-12 Environmental justice
The Story of Health ATSDR, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Science and Environmental Health Network, Western States PESHU Grades 9-12+ Varied
One Plastic Bag Miranda Paul Pre-K Varied
The Tantrum that Saved the World Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann Pre-K Climate Change
Bina's Plant CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Grades 5-12+ Environmental Justice

 

 

Activities (e.g., crosswords, coloring)

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Topic
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity Book Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc. Pre-K, K-4 Varied
Series of Ready Wrigley books CDC Center for Preparedness and Response Pre-K, K-4 Disaster preparedness
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention Team CDC National Center for Environmental Health Pre-K, K-4 Lead hazards
Healthy World, Healthy You Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center and Transdisciplinary Center on Early Environmental Exposures Pre-K, K-4 Varied
Healthy Home, Healthy Child Activity Book Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health Pre-K, K-4 Varied
Environmental Justice Mini Lesson WE ACT for Environmental Justice Grades 5-12+ Environmental Justice
EarthDay Education Resource Library EarthDay Network Pre-K-12+ Varied; Climate Change
Community Environmental Health (CEH) Kits University of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences Center Grades 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: Radon  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grades 5-8, 9-12+ Radon Hazards

 

 

Websites with various resources

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Topic
Parent Group Orientation on Lead Poisoning Prevention Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health Pre-K Lead Hazards
Kids Environment Kids Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Pre-K – Grade 12 Varied
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Pre-K – Grade 12 Varied
Ready Kids National Public Service Campaign K-12 Disaster preparedness
ToxTown: Science Classroom (Grades 6-8) NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine Grades 6-8 Varied
Bad Future, Better Future New York Times - Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-Kottas Grades 5-8 Climate Change

 

 

Lesson Plans/Curriculum

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Topic
Lesson Plan: Environmental Racism American Sociological Association Grades 9-12 Environmental justice
Lead poisoning curriculum for preschool children and their families NY State Department of Public Health Pre-K Lead Hazards
Toxicology, Risk Assessment and Pollution (Tox RAP) Rutgers/NIEHS/Center of Excellence at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute K-9 Varied
Envrionmental Justice Unit Designed for 3rd and 4th Grade Jenna Harmsen Grades 3-4 Environmental justice
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human Health U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grades 4-12 Varied
Recipes for Healthy Kids and a Healthy Environment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grades 5-8 Varied
The Science Behind Climate Change Scholastic Grades 6-12 Climate Change
Analyzing Environmental Justice Teaching Tolerance Grades 6-12 Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice (Grade 7) Learning to Give Grade 7 Environmental Justice
Hydroville Curriculum Project Oregon State University Grades 9-12 Varied
A Student Exploration of the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health & Vector-borne Disease National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grades 9-12 Climate Change
Climate Change and Human Health Lesson Plans National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grades 9-12+ Climate Change
Environmental Justice curriculum Just Health Action Grades 9-12+ Environmental Justice
C-CHANGE Educational Resources on Climate, Health, and COVID-19 Putney Pre-College and Harvard Chan Grades 9-12+ Climate Change
Bad Future, Better Future New York Times - Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-Kottas Grades 5-8 Climate Change
Environmental Justice Mini Lesson WE ACT for Environmental Justice Grades 5-8 Environmental Justice
EarthDay Education Resource Library EarthDay Network Pre-K-12+ Varied; Climate Change
Community Environmental Health (CEH) Kits University of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences Center Grades 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: Radon  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grades 5-8, 9-12+ Radon Hazards
APHA Climate and Health Curriculum  American Public Health Association Grades 9-12+ Climate Change

 

 

Lead Hazards

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Type
Lead poisoning curriculum for preschool children and their families NY State Department of Public Health Pre-K Lesson Plans
Parent Group Orientation on Lead Poisoning Prevention Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health Pre-K Website of various resources
Ethan’s House Gets Healthier With a Visit from the Lead Poisoning Prevention Team CDC National Center for Environmental Health Pre-K, K-4 Book; 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

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Type
The Science Behind Climate Change Scholastic Grades 6-12 Lesson Plans
A Student Exploration of the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health & Vector-borne Disease National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grades 9-12 Lesson Plans
Climate Change and Human Health Lesson Plans National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grades 9-12+ Lesson Plans
C-CHANGE Educational Resources on Climate, Health, and COVID-19 Putney Pre-College and Harvard Chan Grades 9-12+ Lesson Plans
EarthDay Education Resource Library EarthDay Network Pre-K-12+ Lesson Plans; Activities
The Tantrum that Saved the World Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann Pre-K Book
Bad Future, Better Future New York Times - Julia Rosen; illustrator Yuliya Parshina-Kottas Grades 5-8 Online Story
APHA Climate and Health Curriculum  American Public Health Association Graces 9-12+ Lesson plans

 

 

Emergency Preparedness

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Type
Series of Ready Wrigley books CDC Center for Preparedness and Response Pre-K, K-4 Book; Activity
Ready Kids National Public Service Campaign K-12 Website of various resources

 

 

Environmental Justice

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Type
Lesson Plan: Environmental Racism American Sociological Association Grades 9-12 Lesson plans
Envrionmental Justice Unit Designed for 3rd and 4th Grade Jenna Harmsen Grades 3-4 Lesson plans
Mayah's Lot CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Grades 5-12 Book (graphic novel)
Analyzing Environmental Justice Teaching Tolerance Grades 6-12 Lesson plans
Environmental Justice (Grade 7) Learning to Give Grade 7 Lesson plans
Environmental Justice curriculum Just Health Action Grades 9-12+ Lesson plans
Environmental Justice Mini Lesson WE ACT for Environmental Justice Grades 5-8, 9-12+ Lesson plans; Activities
Bina's Plant CUNY Center for Urban Environmental Reform Grades 5-8, 9-12+ Book (graphic novel)

 

 

Varied

Resource Author/Source Grade Level Type
Look Before You L.E.A.P. Activity Book Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Inc. Pre-K, K-4 Activities
Healthy World, Healthy You Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center and Transdisciplinary Center on Early Environmental Exposures Pre-K, K-4 Book; Activities
Healthy Home, Healthy Child Activity Book Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health Pre-K, K-4 Book; Activities
Kids Environment Kids Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Pre-K – Grade 12 Website of various resources
Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Pre-K – Grade 12 Website of various resources
Toxicology, Risk Assessment and Pollution (Tox RAP) Rutgers/NIEHS/Center of Excellence at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute K-9 Lesson plans
EnviroAtlas Educational Materials: Connecting Ecosystems and Human Health U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grades 4-12 Lesson plans
Recipes for Healthy Kids and a Healthy Environment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grades 5-8 Lesson plans
Environment and Health A to Z National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grades 5-12 Book
ToxTown: Science Classroom (Grades 6-8) NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine Grades 6-8 Website of various resources
Hydroville Curriculum Project Oregon State University Grades 9-12 Lesson plans
The Story of Health ATSDR, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Science and Environmental Health Network, Western States PESHU Grades 9-12+ Book (e-book)
EarthDay Education Resource Library EarthDay Network Pre-K-12+ Lesson plans; Activities
One Plastic Bag Miranda Paul Pre-K Book
Community Environmental Health (CEH) Kits University of Rochester Medical School: Environmental Health Sciences Center Grades 9-12+ Activities; Presentations
RadTown Classroom Materials: Radon  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grades 5-8, 9-12+ Lesson plans; Activities