Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Earth Day
Directions: Read each passage using Close Reading strategies and complete the
corresponding questions.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around
you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference
you want to make.” —Jane Goodall
1
Have you ever felt so strongly about a situation or problem around your school,
community, or in your own household that you made it your mission to find a way to
make a positive change? That is exactly how Senator Gaylord Nelson, a United
States Senator from Wisconsin, came up with the concept for Earth Day in 1970. He
witnessed some major distresses with how the environment was being treated, then
worked to enlist supporters of his ambitious plan to make positive changes for the
earth.
2
Senator Nelson began his passionate work after observing the oil spill in Santa
Barbara, California in 1969. On January 28, 1969 a blowout occurred in the Pacific
Ocean due to drilling-induced cracks, which caused over 100, 000 barrels of oil to
spill six miles off of the California coastline. Images shown on national television
from news outlets were those of oil-soaked birds that were unable to fly and dying
on the beaches, waves so thick with oil that when breaking on the shoreline, no
noise could be heard, and the black muck that coated about thirty miles of
California seashores. These images were horrifying to Senator Nelson.
3
4
In addition to his frustration of the oil spill, Nelson was noticing how haphazardly the
environment was being treated by polluting factories, toxic dumps, farmers using
pesticides, and inefficient cars and trucks that were contributing increasing
amounts of air pollution. He knew something had to be done. With the help of
people everywhere, including university students and environmentalists that were
especially passionate about the treatment of the planet, on April 22, 1970, 20 million
Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy,
sustainable environment in massive nationwide gatherings. Thousands of colleges
and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment and
Earth Day made its mark on the calendar.
This became the start of why we celebrate Earth Day every April 22, a yearly
celebration for everyone to have more care and concern for the planet on which
we live. Senator Nelson identified a problem, and decided to work to make the
change he wanted to see take place. What change will you make?
Erin Beers 2015
4
Earth Day
Directions: Use the selection to answer the questions.
1. What is the author’s purpose for writing this selection?
A.
B.
C.
D.
To entertain readers with a funny story about Senator Gaylord Nelson.
To persuade readers to be more careful when drilling for oil.
To explain to readers how to become activists.
To inform readers about how Earth Day became a national day to
help the environment.
2. All of the following statements are true about Earth Day except
A. Earth Day made its mark on the calendar every April 22.
B. Senator Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, came
up with the concept for Earth Day in 1970.
C. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and
auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in
massive nationwide gatherings.
D. Earth Day is not celebrated in Santa Barbara, California.
3. “In addition to his frustration of the oil spill, Nelson was noticing how
haphazardly the environment was being treated by polluting factories,
toxic dumps, farmers using pesticides, and inefficient cars and trucks that
were contributing increasing amounts of air pollution.”
Using context clues, determine the meaning of haphazardly?
A. commendably
B. messily
C. successful
D. effectively
4. List four facts found in the selection. Explain why these statements are
facts.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Erin Beers 2015
5
Post-Reading Journal Prompts
Directions: Copy, cut, and have students paste each prompt into
their writer’s notebook. Students can then respond and share.
Prompt 1: (4-8.W.4)
Explain the quote by Jane Goodall at the beginning of the
Earth Day text and share why the author would place this
quote with this text about Earth Day.
____________________________________________________
Prompt 2: (4-8.W.4)
If Senator Nelson hadn’t come up with the idea for Earth
Day, do you think that another individual might have come
along and developed the same concept? Explain why or
why not.
____________________________________________________
Prompt 3: (4-8.W.4)
There are everyday things that can be done to improve how
the earth is treated. In three paragraphs, explain three
different tasks you alone could do that would make an
immediate impact and improve the environment.
__________________________________________________________
Erin Beers 2015
6