- Do you make the grade? Last year my students completed a "Green Report Card" for the school. They surveyed the school, interviewed the teachers, support staff, principal and custodian. They graphed the results, and gave suggestions for improvements over the announcements. It was a fantastic activity and really got the students involved in the school. Print out your own copy here: http://www.nczoo.org/education/EducatorResources/AGreenReportCard.pdf
- Get planting! We start our seeds (indoors) for our school garden on Earth Day. We plant them a few weeks later (if the snow ever goes away, that is).
- My absolute favourite poem to read to the class on Earth Day is "Lost Generation". I have typed out the words and give handouts to the students for shared reading (this can also be done over the projector). We discuss the tone and mood of the poem as is. THEN ... (and this is the exciting part) I show them the youtube video that has the poem being read forwards and then backwards. The reaction from the students is priceless!!! At least half my class bring the poem home to share with their parents. Check out the youtube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA This is an effective poem for Earth Day, but is equally effective ANY DAY. It's a great poem to use when discussing mood and tone.
- Lastly, my favourite (Earth Day) story to share with the class is Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg. A perfect book to study characterization, and teach about global responsibility. I have written a 5 day mini-unit for inferring using this book. Each lesson contains detailed plans, including questions for oral discussions, as well as reproducible handouts and graphic organizers for students. Assessment rubrics are also included. Some topics include: OQI anchor chart (Observe, Question, Infer), comprehension questions, character chart, creating a rubric, peer assessment, summary writing, and reader reflection.
Students want to get involved and feel they have made a difference. Show them they can on Earth Day!
