April 22nd is Earth Day!

April 22nd is Earth Day!

How are you celebrating?

We are currently in review mode for state assessment coming up in two weeks (eeekkk!!), but we are still going to be taking part in some great activities to help us understand how our Earth is important to us and why it is vital that we take care of the resources that we have been blessed to use.

There are a ton of great Earth Day activities out there. I am really bad when it comes to planning things to do for holidays and celebrations. I get so caught up in the curriculum, and I have to work hard at pulling in themed resources for holidays and honored events.

Anyways, I know that there are a plethora of great ideas and resources already floating out there, but I wanted to pull in a few  of the Earth Day activities that I use in my classroom each year to share with you in case you still needed some easy, yet meaningful ideas!

Jack Johnson-

I mean who DOESN"T love Jack. His music is usually what is playing in my car on my way to work each morning. So, I sorta freaked out  was happy when I found this gem last year and was so tickled at how the kiddos sang the song for weeks afterwards.The song gives great examples of what the three R's represent.

This video is a great way for students to get great, tangible examples of ways that they can help take care of the Earth. 

After watching the videos, the students explore the definitions of reduce, reuse, and recycle. They take the everyday examples they got from the videos as well as activate prior knowledge to list specific examples for each of the 3 R's.

This is a great graphic organize from KTP that can be used to help students organize their thoughts during their small group interactions. 

I also enjoy reading the trade book Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback.

Students watch as a man named Joseph reuses his overcoat in many ways. It is a humbling book that provides many cross curriculum learning opportunities.

This year, our grade level is going to do a school wide clean up. I am pretty excited about sharing the importance of taking care of our awesome playground and school with my kiddos. 

How do you celebrate Earth Day?