Rachel Carson (1907–1964), a biologist and writer, was an influential figure in the environmental movement of the 1960s. In 1962 she published Silent Spring, in which she documented the environmental harm caused by pesticides. The book improved people’s understanding of ecology, causing a shift in public opinion and leading to a ban on DDT in the USA.

Group Activity

These activities are great starting points for discussions and classes. You can use them all or choose one option.

1. Give each person the same incomplete quote.
   • Ask group members to think about what word is missing from the quote. They could also use their imagination to come up with funny or nonsensical words that makes the completed quote strange or humorous.
   • When all group members have discussed their words, reveal what the correct word is.
   • Ask group members if they agree with the statement in the quote.
2. Divide the group into several teams and give each team the same incomplete quote.
   • Each team should discuss and agree on what they believe the missing word is.
   • Then, each team should present their complete quote, and if the teams have different versions, each team should explain their reasoning and defend their choice of words.
   • After the debate, reveal what the correct word is.
   • Ask group members if they agree with the statement in the quote.
3. Ask the group: What does the phrase in this quote mean? How do you interpret this saying?
4. Ask group members to read the Wordbook definitions for Biodiversity and Ecosystem. Then ask: Why is it important to keep ecosystems and biodiversity healthy? How can we help them stay that way?
5. Assign each person a different quote from the list on Quote Quest.
   • Ask group members to think about what word is missing from their quote. They could also use their imagination to come up with a funny or nonsensical word that makes the completed quote strange or humorous.
   • Ask each person to read the quote with their choice of word.
   • Give each person the complete quote with the correct word and ask them to read it again and say whether they agree with the statement in the quote.
6. Ask group members if they can think of a current event or an event from their own lives that corresponds with the quote. You could also ask them if the quote relates to a tv show, movie, game or book that they know.
7. Ask group members to make up their own quote or saying. If they had one message to convey to the world, what would it be?