People who made an impact
Cordelia Stanwood
Cordelia was born in Ellsworth, Maine, in 1865. Homeschooled until the age of 14, she went on to live with her aunt, for whom she was named, and receive formal education in Providence, RI. As an adult, Stanwood became a teacher and later a principal – all while also continuing to study natural sciences and art! At the age of 39, Stanwood suffered a nervous breakdown and returned to her family home in Ellsworth to recover. There, she took up birdwatching.
Stanwood’s time in the woods observing the birds became her greatest achievement. She was one of the first to pay attention to and document bird behaviors. Her work—which included photography—was published in leading periodicals, and she corresponded with the leading naturalists of the day. Today, the Stanwood Homestead in Ellsworth, better known locally as Birsdacre Wildlife Sanctuary, is an operating bird rehabilitation center that is open to the public and offers miles of hiking trails year-round.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Born in Portland, and a graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a prominent American poet of the 19th century, renowned for his accessible and evocative verse. His work often explored themes of history, mythology, and romantic love, drawing inspiration from European literary traditions. He was a leading figure in the American Romantic movement, alongside contemporaries such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe. Longfellow’s poems were widely read and memorized, solidifying his status as a beloved literary figure in his lifetime.
“Longfellow's poetry is characterized by its clear and melodious language, often employing traditional rhyme schemes and metrical patterns. He excelled at crafting narrative poems that told compelling stories, such as "The Song of Hiawatha" and "Evangeline." His works often conveyed moral lessons and celebrated the virtues of courage, perseverance, and compassion.” – All Poetry
Historical
Grades 4-8
The first official Earth Day was held April, 1970! Learn all about how this celebration of our natural world and the systems that sustain us began
Environmental Protection Agency
Grades PreK - 12
Learn about the involvement of the Environmental Protection Agency, and dig into the roots of Maine’s key roles!
Grades PreK - 12
Read about how our very own Sen. Ed Muskie was the driving force behind the the 1963 Clean Air Act, and the 1965 Water Quality Act – as well as the Clean Air Act of 1970!
Grades 7 - 12
See how Senator George J. Mitchell came to be known as “Maine’s Environmental Senator”
Grades Prek - 12
“Researchers believe that the earliest forms of poetry were sung and passed on as an oral history. The majority of early oral histories were told in a poetic notation, likely because the repetition would make it easier to remember. Poetry is old enough that we can’t determine when it began, not like we can with texts, though. Obsidian
Celebrating
Grades PreK - 12
Visit Poets.Org for all things related to National Poetry Month, including the Poem in Your Pocket, a Poem a Day, biographies of famous poets – and so, so much more.
Grades PreK - 12
Love national parks? There's a holiday for that! Join us for National Park Week, happening April 19 to April 27 to celebrate everything "parks." There are more than 400 national parks of different shapes, sizes, and kinds to experience. Also discover what the National Park Service does to preserve natural and cultural heritage and provide recreational opportunities in communities across the country—and even the world!
Grades PreK - 12
Visitors can expect a day filled with knowledgeable speakers, interesting workshops, tasty food, and foot-tapping music.
Celebrate Earth Day with Maine Audubon
Grades PreK - 12
Maine Audubon is hosting community events that focus on Earth Day from April 18th to the 26th.
Learn More
Grades PreK - 12
Books of all types for readers of all ages exploring, celebrating, and paying homage to Earth Day and Poetry Month.
Brought to you by the Office of Teaching and Learning's Interdisciplinary Instruction Team
Contact
Kathy Bertini
Interdisciplinary Instruction Coordinator
Phone: 207-816-0294
Email: kathy.bertini@maine.gov