Article
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Rachel Carson and the Environmental Movement [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Article with questions for discussion and group activity in which students explore the ideas brought forth by Rachel Carson in her book, Silent Spring.
Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
Rachel Carson catalyzed the global environmental movement with her 1962 book "Silent Spring".
Website
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Rachel Carson and the Awakening of Environmental Consciousness

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource for teachers and students on Rachel Carson and environmental consciousness in which author Linda Lear discusses Carson's work, Silent Spring, and how it changed public perception and raised evironmental awareness. Lots of...
Handout
Texas A&M University

Environmental Protection: Story Time: Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth biography of Rachel Carson which gives background on her interest in biology and her eventual writing of the seminal book on ecology Silent Spring. Many hyperlinks for additional information.
Handout
Other

Rachel Carson: The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
The home page for the Rachel Carson organization provides information on her life, work, and legacy.
Handout
Other

Nrdc: The Story of Silent Spring

For Students 9th - 10th
Outlines the impact of Carson and her book upon the environmental movement and the elimination the use of DDT and other pesticides.
Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of the life of Rachel Carson.
Unit Plan
The Best Notes

The Best Notes: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a complete online study guide/notes for the novel Silent Spring by Rachel Carson including author information, literary elements, chapter-by-chapter summaries/notes, study questions, and analysis.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: American Women: Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
See this bust of Rachel Carson, leader of the environmental movement in the 1960s and read a brief description of the impact of her book, "Silent Spring."
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
A concise biographical sketch that examines the life and contributions of scientist, naturalist, writer, and Pennsylvania native, Rachel Carson.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Biography for Kids: Scientist: Rachel Carson

For Students 9th - 10th
A site that contains Rachel Carson's biography. Learn about how she was a scientist who studied how pesticides impacted animals and the ecosystem. She is considered the founder of environmental science.
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Maryland: Rachel Carson House

For Students 9th - 10th
House where Rachel Carson wrote her classic work Silent Spring in 1962.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Environmental Reform

For Students 5th - 8th
Environmental awareness in the United States became more focused upon the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Read about student protests, presidential legislation, and a new desire to protect the environment.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Superstars of Science

For Teachers 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about scientists Jane Goodall, Stephen Hawking, Dean Kamen, Rachel Carson, and Charles Henry. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Conservation in Action

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson where students study the legacy of Rachel Carson.
Website
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Conservation, Preservation, and the National Parks [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Articles in which students explore the history of conservation and environmentalism in America and the modern controversy surrounding it while simultaneously exploring public perception and policy. Includes small group activity and...
Handout
Other

Thoreau Institute: The History of Environmentalism

For Students 9th - 10th
This essay is a thorough investigation of the various political and philosophical changes which have occurred throughout the environmental movement. Examines the current situation and includes references. Excellent article.
Article
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: The Spirit of the First Earth Day

For Students 9th - 10th
This article is an in-depth description of the first Earth Day, and includes the impact the demonstration had on the environmental movement.
Article
Other

Center for Ca Studies: California Environmental Goals and Policy, Part I [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Although focused primarily on environmental legislation in California in the 1970s, there is a good review of the environmental movement as it was supported nationally. (Published June 1995)
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Environmentalism

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief overview of the Environmental Movement and the growing concern about the environment spurred on by the mid 1960s push for civil rights in America.
Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Earth Days: Timeline:the Modern Environmental Movement

For Students 9th - 10th
Trace the advance of the environmental movement from 1948 through the 1980s. Read about the legislation promoting a healthy environment passed under both Democratic and Republican presidents.
Handout
Country Studies US

Country Studies: The Counter Culture and Environmentalism

For Students 9th - 10th
This web-article discusses how the 1960s and 1970s were a time of cultural upheaval in the US. As many young people came to reject the lifestyle and traditions of their parents and embrace a more radical way of living and thinking.