From Miss W: “Go on a nature hike, even if it’s around the playground. Have teams find an item they can share with the class, or take clipboards and make a nature scene on paper.”
Teacher Tips:
Provide clipboards and simple recording sheets.
Set up “nature stations”—texture rubbing, leaf observation, color hunt.
Follow up by writing about their favorite find.
Seed Planting & Class Garden
From Miss W: “Plant seeds that they can later take home. Plant a classroom garden… Our class has planted seeds in cups and will work together with another class to start a pumpkin patch.”
Teacher Tips:
Use fast-growing seeds (beans, radish, grass).
Take weekly photos for a growth journal.
If possible, partner with another class or community garden.
Exploring Trees & Plants
“Study about plants or trees this time of year. I like to check out lots of books from the school and public libraries so the students can get their hands on them.” — Miss W
⭐ 2. Weather, Water, & Environmental Science
Weather & the Planet
“Study about weather. How does weather affect our planet?” — Miss W
Try this:
Make a simple weather chart.
Compare “today’s weather” with what the Earth needs (sun, water, air).
Water Investigation
From Grammy Teacher: “Tuesday we are learning about ‘water.’ We’re walking to a stream and discussing water. All living things need it.”
Activity Options:
Collect and compare samples (clean vs. “polluted”).
Observe objects that float or sink.
Make a class anchor chart: Ways we use water / Ways we save water.
“Dirty River” Pollution Demonstration
From Whitchel: “We made dirty river water… each child brought in a piece of clean trash to put in the ‘river’… After we made the dirty water, I asked the kids if they thought our fish would like to swim in it.”
Follow-Up: Have students brainstorm ways to keep waterways clean.
⭐ 3. Recycling & Reuse Projects
Recycled Creations
Upsadaisy shared: “Make recycling creations—gather up a ton of recyclables and let the kids at it. Or direct it—recycling robots or whatever you want. One year we had a fashion show with apparel made from recycled materials.”
Broken Crayons → New Crayons
From MandaNicole01: “We recycle our broken crayons. I have a Crayola crayon maker and all the children make a crayon from broken ones.”
Recycled Art: Coffee-Filter Earths
This idea was shared by several teachers:
Scribble blue and green marker on a coffee filter
Spritz with water to let the colors blend
Add:
a poem (PCDiva’s class wrote acrostics)
a written pledge
student artwork or photos
These make great hallway displays!
⭐ 4. Literacy Connections
Earth Day Poems & Writing
Acrostic Poems
PCDiva had students write “Earth Day” acrostic poems and attach them to their coffee-filter Earths.
Earth-Friendly Writing Prompts
Choose one:
“If I was the Earth I would…” (KinderCowgirl)
“Ways I can help the Earth…” (MandaNicole01)
“My Earth Day pledge is…”
“Things I can reduce, reuse, recycle…”
The Earth Book (Dr. Jean)
“We also make the Earth book by Dr. Jean. The kids love it!!!” — MandaNicole01
⭐ 5. Daily Themed Earth Week Plan (From Grammy Teacher)
This teacher shared a wonderful day-by-day structure you can use as-is or adapt:
Monday — Our Sparkling Earth
Read Earth Day texts
Sponge-paint blue & green circles
Add a little glitter for “sparkle”
Tuesday — Water
Walk to a nearby stream or outdoor area
Discuss why water is essential
Wednesday — Fire/Sun
Learn how the sun helps Earth
Make handprint suns
Sing sun-themed songs like “Mr. Sun”
Thursday — Air/Wind
Bubbles, frisbees, or kites
Discuss how living things need air
Friday — The Spirit of Life
Lay in the grass
Watch clouds
Listen, smell, and experience nature
Create “Spirit of Life” paintings while listening to gentle music
⭐ 6. Creative & Community Connections
Invite a Guest Speaker
“Invite a local wildlife place to speak and bring animals. Even a parent could do that…” — Upsadaisy
Bird Feeders
“Making bird feeders…” — AMK
Options:
Pinecones + peanut butter + birdseed
Recycled milk jugs
Toilet paper roll feeders
Environmental Field Trip
“We are taking a field trip to an environmental place.” — AMK
