Earth Day (April 22) can easily be integrated into all curricular areas and the Common Core State Standards. Think about it: close reading, op-ed writing, social studies, science, art, music, and math!
Since a study of the rainforests seems to encompass so many aspects of Earth Day and interests elementary-aged children, I used that topic to create a month of learning activities.
Earth Day lesson ideas with a rainforest theme:
- Find age-appropriate rainforest articles online and model the highlighting of important facts/phrases with younger students while they use close reading strategies to gather information. The students can then use this highlighted information to write a persuasive piece with evidence on Why People Should Care About Rainforests.
- Assign an endangered rainforest animal project for homework or as a small-group project. Click to view a sample assignment.
- Using sentence strips or large poster board, have students copy individual facts learned about the rainforest. Then have students write ways they can help save the rainforest.
- Do a musical performance, such as The Rumpus in the Rainforest.
- Additionally, visit these Pinterest sites for amazing project ideas: Rainforest Crafts and Rainforest Unit Study
Additional Earth Day ideas and resources:
- Go to http://www.earthday.org/ with students to learn about the history of Earth Day, what a “Green School” is, and how to make healthy food choices. The students can create a fun “Avatar” online while doing a “Footprint Calculator.”
- Have each student make a poster with one tip on how he or she can help the environment, such as: Walk or Ride a Bike to School, Turn off Lights When Leaving a Room, Unplug Cellphone Chargers When Not in Use, Print on Both Sides of Paper, Plant Trees or Bushes, Don’t Keep the Water on When You Brush Your Teeth, Use Public Transportation, etc. Post these colorful illustrated posters around the classroom or school!
- Use little peat seed pots (found at any nursery) to begin growing Mother’s Day flowers!
What have you done for Earth Day? Share your projects ideas and stories in the comment section!
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Contributing Writer
Alice Evans is a forty-year veteran National Board Certified elementary classroom teacher and a published author. She recently retired from the San Diego Unified School District and has published a children’s chapter book entitled Torrey Pines Summer.
1. Camp in the backyard. Set up a campsite in your backyard, including a tent, eating area, and chairs for stargazing. Here are 
6. Paint a birdhouse. Head to your local craft store to pick up a wooden birdhouse and outdoor paint. Set up an outdoor painting station where your child can paint the birdhouse. Keep in mind that birdhouses make great Father’s Day gifts for dads and grandfathers, so consider painting a birdhouse to match their house or favorite sports team.
9. Plant in your garden. Now is the time to get planting in your garden. Have your child be involved by helping pick out the flowers and vegetables, planting them, and watering them. To help personalize your garden more, plan to make a garden stone of your child’s handprints, footprints, or their own personalized decorations.
Trisha Thomas is the mother of two and serves on the board of directors at a co-op preschool. She has also been a marketer of educational materials for grades PreK–8 for more than 15 years.
Between March and June, millions of students across the country will take some form of a standardized test before the school year ends.
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Common Core State Standards, multiple subjects, assessments, and not enough time…sound familiar? Teaching with primary sources is a great way to do it all!
Patty Clark has been a classroom teacher for grades K-6, and District Librarian for grades K-8 for the past 25 years. She is passionate about helping others find and use information. Her philosophy is, “It’s not about the amount or the subject matter learned, it’s about the learner discovering the joy in the process that led them to it.”
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A co-worker asked if I was doing a leprechaun trap with my children. After I looked puzzled, she explained it to me. Create a trap for your leprechaun. He can be lured by rainbows, potatoes, shiny objects like coins and foil, and even Lucky Charms cereal. As your child tries to trap the leprechaun, the leprechaun leaves traces of his visit and also leaves treats behind for your child.
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Alice Evans is a forty-year veteran National Board Certified elementary classroom teacher and is a published author. She recently retired from the San Diego Unified School District.