This children’s story from the EPA can be read together as an ebook or printed and used as a coloring book to help students learn about other forms of transportation that kids can use.
There are also notes in the book that explain how car use causes air pollution and that using alternatives can help reduce this pollution.
The "Message to Adults" at the beginning of the book provides excellent context about air pollution and solutions to reduce driving.
Students will love coloring the cute characters in this story!
Prerequisites
Before reading, it may benefit students to have a discussion about air quality and how it can impact students' health. Teachers may want to precede this lesson with this one to help students understand the health effects of poor air quality.
Some students may become anxious and frustrated if they don't have control over their transportation use or don’t have alternatives available to them, so teachers can lead off with this acknowledgment.
Differentiation & Implementation
To demonstrate their understanding, older students can finish the sentence stem, "I can give my car some rest by..." and draw a picture of them riding their bike, taking the bus, etc.
If students live in a rural area without buses or trains, they can discuss alternative ways to give their cars a rest, such as carpooling.
To continue thinking about alternatives to taking a car to school, students can watch this animated video.
Teachers can use this story to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
