What to Teach This Month: April Lesson Plans
Make the most of April’s teaching opportunities! From Earth Day and National Poetry Month to Arbor Day, explore engaging lesson plans and classroom activities to keep students inspired all month long.
For me, April signifies the official start of spring—a time when warmer weather beckons us outdoors. Growing up, I’d dash into the woods behind my house to build makeshift “forts” (not exactly mom-approved structures) and spend countless hours immersed in nature, observing the budding flora and lively fauna.
In those woods, I’d lose myself in books, listen to the symphony of birds and wildlife, and gaze up at the sky, pondering the mysteries of our planet. Fittingly, April is celebrated as Earth Month, culminating in Earth Day on April 22—a perfect opportunity to engage students with Earth Day educational resources and activities.
April also offers several "green" celebrations to inspire students about our planet. Arbor Day encourages tree planting and learning about forest ecosystems, while National Wildlife Week provides a chance to delve into animal science and biodiversity. These events are ideal for incorporating spring classroom activities that promote environmental stewardship.
Beyond environmental themes, April presents diverse educational opportunities. It’s National Poetry Month—a time to explore poetic expression and creativity. Additionally, it's an opportunity to celebrate the rich history of jazz and emphasize the importance of Financial Literacy Month, equipping students with essential life skills. Just as we teach students to care for the planet, April is also the perfect time to help them care for their future through personal finance education—like budgeting, saving, and understanding credit.
April also follows the conclusion of the 2025 Share My Lesson Virtual Conference, where educators gathered online to explore fresh ideas, strategies, and inspiration. All sessions are now available on demand—completely free and eligible for professional development credit—so you can watch anytime and keep the learning going all month long.
Explore April's highlights below, and share your plans and ideas in the comments section. How are you integrating April lesson plans into your curriculum? Do you have any fun ideas for April? Let’s swap ideas and make this month’s lessons even better!
Climate Education and Earth Day
Climate change is one of the top concerns for Gen Z, and April provides an excellent opportunity to engage your students in all things related to the climate, as well as earth-focused discussions and activities. Check out the various collections and resources below, as well as some of my own climate resources that have become favorites on Share My Lesson!
National Arab American Heritage Month
April not only celebrates Arab American Heritage Month but also the holy month of Ramadan, underscoring a period of reflection, community and faith for millions, including many Arab Americans. Find ideas in this Share My Lesson collection to explore and honor Arab Americans' rich contributions and heritage. These resources feature activities and lesson plans from partners like ADL and Re-Imagining Migration, offering diverse insights into both cultural and religious observances.
Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity for K-12 educators to deepen their understanding and embrace neurodiversity in the classroom. It's a time to recognize and value the unique perspectives and abilities of students with autism, promoting an inclusive educational environment. By incorporating autism awareness into your curriculum, you contribute to fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding, ensuring every student feels respected and valued. Get started with these resources.
The Founding of NATO
Have your students brought up NATO in class? The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded on April 4, 1949, as a means to prevent the expansion of Soviet influence in Europe. It’s been heavily featured in recent current events: Sweden has joined NATO, and the debate about the future role of the U.S. in the organization is ongoing. Learn more about its foundation and how it functions with the resources below from CFR Education and C-SPAN.
Columbine High School Shooting
Twenty-five years ago, on April 20, 1999, a deadly mass shooting took place during school hours. We must continue to remember the victims of Columbine High School and other school shootings to understand the impact of violence on communities and the ongoing need for safety in schools. The anniversary serves as a somber reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for preventive measures to protect students and staff. These acts of remembrance also strengthen the resolve to advocate for policy changes that can prevent future tragedies, ensuring that the victims are honored through meaningful action and awareness.
School Library Month
April is School Library Month; it’s time to D.E.A.R. (drop everything and read) your favorite books and authors. Use this month to honor the work that school librarians do every day during National School Librarian Day and National Library Week. Their work enriches our educational environment by providing access to information and promoting digital literacy, making librarians indispensable in nurturing informed and thoughtful future citizens. Check out some of our favorite libraries and reading resources below.
Assassinations of MLK and Lincoln
April marks the anniversaries of the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, and Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865, pivotal moments in American history that underscore the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. Teaching about these events provides students with a deeper understanding of the impact of leadership on civil rights and the enduring fight against oppression. It's an opportunity to reflect on the values these leaders embodied and the importance of continuing their work in today's society.
Do you have any additional resources or teaching topics to add to our list? If you want to have your resources featured in a future edition or if you’d like to be a contributing blogger, contact us!
What to Teach This Month Series
There are so many holidays, events, and anniversaries that mark our calendars each month that it can be hard to keep track of all of them. The Share My Lesson team has created a blog series, "What to Teach This Month," where each month a member of our team highlights free lesson plans and resources for grades prek-12 on some of the relevant topics you might want to incorporate into your curricular agenda for the month.
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Andy Kratochvil is a proud member of the AFT Share My Lesson team, where he’s passionate about discovering and sharing top-tier content with educators across the country. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and French from California State University, Fullerton, and later completed... See More
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