Caring for Earth

Learning goal: Earth provides the things that we need, such as air, water, food, fuel and building materials. The supply of these resources is limited; resources can be extended through recycling and decreased use.

• Reading= On Earth by G. Brian Karas, The Garbage Monster by Joni Sensel, Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green, Our Big Home by Linda Glaser and The Earth and I by Frank Asch. Letter of the day= R is for reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Science= Introduce planets and resources using two kinesthetic activities. 1) Invite children to carry a ball (representing a planet) as they run around a sun. Explain that Earth is one of nine planets that circles around the sun. How many times have you circled the sun? If you’re three years old, run around the sun three times as you count aloud. 2) Talk about how we care for and clean our homes. Explain that Earth is our home too. We share our home with lots of other people, plants and animals. Explain what we can do to care for Earth and keep it clean (e.g., don’t litter, recycle, conserve energy and water, etc.). What items can be recycled? Sort metals, plastics, paper goods and glass into different grocery bags or boxes.
• Art= Make “garbage monsters” using trash from your recycle bin. Items may include brown paper grocery bags, egg cartons, toilet paper tubes, bottle caps, aluminum foil, tin cans, milk jugs, yogurt containers, plastic bottles, straws, plastic wrap, plastic utensils, paper cups and plates, magazines, newspaper comics, old socks, etc. Have staplers, tape and glue handy. Alternatively, cut out pictures from old magazines to create a collage of the things in nature that bring you joy. Include both living and non-living things, such as quiet beautiful places.
• Play= Plant a tree to beautify your world, go on a litter walk to pick up trash in your neighborhood, or play games using recycled items (e.g., spin the bottle, tin can stilt race, etc.). You could also take your kids out to a landfill ("the dump") or tour a recycling center.
  

Fun facts: The first Earth day was held on April 22, 1970. Earth is more than 4 billion years old!

Conservation tips for kids: Turn off water while brushing teeth and taking a bath. Turn off lights and TV when not in use. Draw on both sides of your paper to save the trees. Donate old clothes, toys, books and games to younger siblings or other children in need.