Introduce history and goals of Earth Day and introduce community clean-up project. Tell the students that they are going to celebrate Earth Day by taking action locally. 

Show a 90-second video about the history and goals of Earth Day

Review the issues Earth Day seeks to address (oil spills, pollution, loss of wilderness, etc.), and ask the students which of these issues they care about most.

Building from the video’s list of things people can do (plant trees, recycle, ride bikes), brainstorm and discuss what individuals can do in the local community to take care of the earth.

Understanding our role in civil society: Give students time in small groups to read aloud and discuss the meaning of the following quotes as they relate to participating in a local clean-up project and its impact:

• “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” Edward Everett Hale
• "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
• "A small act is worth a million thoughts." - Ai Weiwei
• “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” -- Mahatma Gandhi

Ideas:

• Students clean up trash in designated areas and put up signs or provide trash cans to maintain the appearance. The clean-up may involve planting native species or removing invasive species.
• If the area is a hiking trail, students may provide laminated trail maps with interpretations of the natural history and features along the trail.
• Involve families and other community members in the clean-up or in awareness of how to maintain the beauty of the cleaned area. 

Have a representative from the town council come and be part of the discussion about the community clean-up project. Discuss how they can be of help to the class and what the students can do to help the community efforts.