Wangari Maathai: The Story of the Hummingbird
Videos
Grades3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Social Studies
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by The Kid Should See This
What it is
- This 2-minute video and brief article feature Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai, who tells a metaphorical story of a hummingbird who remains persistent in the face of a great fire.
- This story is used to encourage others to continue to do the best they can, even if it feels like they are not able to make a difference.
Teaching tips
Classroom Implementation:
- Have students listen to this story when discussing actions individuals can take to address climate change. Ask students to consider how impactful it might be if everyone did the best they could.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- English Language Arts:
- Use this story to analyze the metaphor. Ask students to consider what the hummingbird and the great fire represent in the context of climate change.
SEL Connections:
- Use the hummingbird as a symbol to reference when students express feelings of futility surrounding climate action.
Related Resources:
- Show students this video to give them context about Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt movement.
- Pair this resource with this lesson plan, in which students explore Wangari Maathai and deforestation in Africa.
From the scientist review
The video in this resource tells a fictional story about a hummingbird facing a large fire. The story serves as a metaphor for how a Kenyan environmental activist approaches environmental issues. Her message is that everyone can do their best to help solve a problem. This message is especially meaningful for climate and environmental issues because they can often feel overwhelming and impossible to handle, like a fire to a bird. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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