Participate in the Earth Day Groceries Project. Visit a local grocery store, borrow paper grocery bags, have students decorate them. Then, return them to the grocery store on April 22nd. Students will be proud to see their personalized Earth Day messages being distributed at their local grocery store. For more information, visit; http://www.earthdaybags.org/faqs.htmHave your students make an earth day pledge. Since it takes 21 days to form a new habit, students can pledge to do something positive for the planet for 21 days. You can have them sign a statement, i.e. "I will bring my lunch in a re-usable container for 21 days," or "I will turn off the lights when I leave a room," or "I will turn off the faucet when I'm brushing my teeth." They can have two witnesses sign their pledge who will hold them accountable. Next month have them report back on how they did. Did their committment inspire others? Did they meet their goal? If not, what went wrong? Do they have any advice for others attempting the same challenge?
Make recycled paper with your students. To learn how visit: talkabouttrees.org. Be sure to demonstrate to your students that recycling paper uses a lot of energy and water. The best thing to do is use as little paper as possible and then recycle what you do use.
Have a "wasteless" competition. During earth week, if student desks are arranged in equal groups, tape a large garbage bag to each group. Explain to students they are to throw their trash in these bags for the week. Food waste and other perishables should not be thrown there. If you're concerned students may cheat, don't disclose your intention until the end of the week. On Friday, weigh each bag on a bathroom scale. The team with the lightest bag wins. Have students brainstorm ways to reduce their waste at school.
For more ideas, visit earth911kids
Start a garden
For advice and available grants on gardening visit nationalgardenmonth.org
