The Earth Day school event may include any one or all or any combination of the following ideas. Ideally, students from a variety of different classes and subject areas can cooperate under the leadership of participating teachers to create a successful event. Earth Day presents a perfect opportunity to incorporate cooperative education, holistic and 'real-life' learning experiences, and cross-curriculum themes into a fun and engaging activity.
Plant a Tree Ceremony - Raise money during the month of April to plant a tree(s) on the school grounds around an engraved ceremonial plaque. During the Earth Day ceremony, sponsors including the school principal, coordinating teacher, and student leaders can speak about Earth Day. Would the ceremony involve actually planting the tree or simply dedicating the tree?
School Garden Dedication - A class or school club may raise money during the month of April to plant a garden on school grounds. The class or club would be responsible for caring for and raising the gardens, so it is a bit of a commitment. Ideas for flowers to be included in the garden would include the state flower, the winner of a school-wide election, or any other symbolic flower and arrangement chosen by the organizers. Again, during the Earth Day ceremony, sponsors including the school principal, coordinating teacher, and student leaders can speak about Earth Day.
Earth Day Art - Students in art class can spend the month of April creating Earth Day-themed art projects. These projects could be put on display during the week of April 19 for all students to see - maybe in the school library or in the foyer or somewhere protected, but visible. Art work will be featured and on display at the Earth Day school event. Maybe the artists would agree to sell or raffle their artwork at the Earth Day school event in conjunction with the Plant A Tree Ceremony or the School Garden Dedication. Money would be dedicated to the school's garden or tree or another Earth Day-related item, such as Energy Star electronic components (overhead projector, television, VCR)
Earth Day Song - Students in music class or band class can sing or play Earth Day-themed songs from their repertoire at the Earth Day school event in conjunction with the Plant A Tree Ceremony or the School Garden Dedication. To raise money for the garden, tree, or Earth Day-related item, the audience at the Earth Day school event can request the band to play a song for a donation. Or some parents may wish to make a donation for the band to stop playing altogether - the more money the parents donate, the longer the band takes a break.
Earth Day Lesson Plans - Teachers will implement Earth Day lesson plans during Earth Day and maybe even once a week during the month of April. This will help create knowledgeable, appreciative students come time for the Earth Day school event.
Earth Day Yummies - If a school has a home economics or cooking class, students may learn about cooking vegetarian recipes and using organic and free range ingredients, locally grown produce and non packaged/non processed foods. Students could prepare "Earth Day Yummies" to sell at the Earth Day school event to raise money for the school garden, tree, or Earth Day-related item. Earth Day Yummies could include a variety of vegetarian and other dishes prepared from healthy, organic sources. For information on sustainable foods and shopping, visit the Sustainable Table and/or the Eat Well Guide. For classroom activities and lessons, visit our ED04 sustainable lesson plans. Be sure to include both vegetarian and non vegetarian options. (May want to insist on free-range meats, if any.) If the school does not have cooking facilities, students could learn about these ideas in class and cook them at home. Parents may bring dishes to the Earth Day school event or donate dishes bought at a local health food store.
Earth Day Play - Your students could perform "Walden" the play at your school or write their own Earth Day-themed play to enact during an Earth Day school event. Students can write individually, as a class, or in small groups on a theme of their own or a theme chosen by the teacher which is relevant to the community where the students live. Ideas for the play may be a depiction of a historical event, a recent event, or a fictional event. In the case of a play written about a historical event, teachers will need to allow time and resources to conduct research to incorporate facts into the play. Ideas: President Teddy Roosevelt signing legislation creating national parks, congress passing a pertinent bill or law, an evil business man with not respect of the local environment versus a local environmental group. While the play is enacted at the Earth Day even, Earth Day Yummies may be sold as concessions.
Put on an Environmental Awareness Fair - Feature "hot" environmental concerns such as water issues, global warming and using civic engagement as a means to change your surroundings. The Fair can offer Earth Day Yummies, have student reenactments of pivotal environmental events throughout history, such as the first Earth Day in 1970, establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
