"What Happened When We All Stopped"

Provided by: TED-Ed |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos

6789101112

Scientist Reviewed

Synopsis

This animated poem, read by Jane Goodall, shows what happened when people slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic and began to notice nature.
Students will learn that people have damaged the environment and that people can work together to take action and rebuild it.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: English Language Arts

Authors: TED-Ed

Region: Global

Languages: English

View Resource

Teaching Materials

Positives

This video will remind students that humans are responsible for taking care of the natural world.
The gentle animation style pairs well with Jane Goodall's calming voice.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with the following terms: tenacious, prevail, rebirth, and renewed.

Differentiation & Implementation

English language arts classes can annotate the poem, noting the rhyme scheme, meter, figurative language, and literary devices.
Younger students can draw before and after pictures to show what changed from the beginning of the poem to the end.
Writing classes can write personal reflections about a natural place that feels peaceful. Students can incorporate sensory images to help the reader understand what it feels like to be there.
Other resources on this topic include this animated video on the importance of biodiversity, this video that takes students to a silent rainforest in Washington, and this interactive map that shows the restoration potential of land in different parts of the world.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

Scientist Reviewed

This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.

Learn about our review process →

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.

Cookie Preferences

"What Happened When We All Stopped"

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources