3 Fun and Informative Earth Day Lesson Plans

 

Earth day can be a very fun and exciting time for children in the classroom. Here are 3 lesson plans that can help students celebrate earth day .

The first lesson plan that is appropriate and fun for teaching children about earth day is the earth day garbage parade. This lesson plan is appropriate for kids of ages 3-12, and it is a lot of fun. Have students collect garbage around their home and school and bring in one small plastic bag of trash. Items that they should save are bottles, papers, bottle caps, and anything they seem to find interesting. Make sure all items are brought in clean, and have markers, paints, and glue available. Now pile all of the garbage on a table in the middle of the room and let all the students pick items that that they would like to use. You can have the students create masks, puppets, and banners. It is a good idea to bring some examples of things they can make. You can also bring in beans and rubber bands and have the students make different musical instruments. Paint and color all of the items brightly, and assemble a line and start your parade. This lesson helps teach students to recycle and have fun!

Another lesson plan that is appropriate for students from the age of 3 to 12 is to grow their own plant. Bring in seeds, plastic cups, and dirt, and have each student plant their own seed, and water it. For older students you may want them to use different seeds and research each plant. Have the students document the plants growth over the course of the month; also have the students document the watering and light schedule for each plant. This is most effective if done with perennial plants so the students can later plant a garden on the school property or a local park. The use of herb seeds works well for this project.

Another earth day lesson plan for students from ages 3 - 12 is paper making. Discuss with the students the use of paper in society, and the amount of trees wasted because of our paper waste. Have students bringing junk mail, and paper that would normally be thrown out at their homes. You will need a small screen that has been attached to a wooden frame, or a small window screen that can be found at a thrift store. You will also need a food processor and a tub or tuber ware. Have all the students rip the paper up into little pieces and soak the pieces in water for half an hour. Next processes the water and paper mixture until the paper is finely chopped. Now mix the paper and water pulp with more water inside the tub. Have the students take turn dipping the frame into the mix. Once the frame is coated let some of the water drip out, and cover it with a piece of cardboard; next you must flip the frame and cardboard over so the pulp will come off. This will take a little getting used to, but it is not very hard. Allow all of the paper to dry completely and use the paper for another earth day project!

These lesson plans can help you teach valuable earth day lessons to your class this earth day!

Home, School and Society Affect Educational Goals

Educational goals and standards are directly affected by the goals and standards of the society in which the school exists. Home, society and schools play many similar and different roles in the educational systems of today, and educational professionals have to use these relationships to benefit the students.

Home plays a huge role in education because students come into the classroom with thoughts and situations that they have acquired from their homes. Some students have preconceived notions of values and morals that they learn from home (Lamlech, 2006). Some of these ideas can be positive and some can be negative, but the teacher has to figure out how to use these ideas and views to bring the class together instead of apart. Some students do not have stable homes, and this can cause many problems in the child's ability to be educated. The teacher must get to know each child and establish a healthy relationship (Lamlech, 2006). If this occurs than the student will be able to talk to the teacher and look for help. The home lays the foundation for the child's educational experience.

Society also plays a role in a child's educational goals and standards because it also provides students with a sense of values and beliefs. Society provides children with a picture of how they are suppose to act. Society also sets standards in which students and the American population are suppose to be educated (Lamlech, 2006). Because of societal views the government has passed many laws establishing standards for students, and educational institutes are supposed to meet these requirements (Lamlech, 2006) . As a teacher I would take advantage of the government programs that help with the education of society, and I would inform my students of them because there are many programs such as financial aid, that can help increase a student's ability to learn.

School plays a role in educational standards and goals as well. Schools directly implement the standards and goals of a student (Lamlech, 2006). Schools provide programs for students such as tutoring and math clubs, and these programs help promote education. Teachers must take full advantage of these programs, help create and volunteer for these programs, and inform the children of these programs in order to truly benefit from them.

There are many levels that influence the standards of students, and they should all be optimized in order to optimize the educational level of today's classrooms.

References:

Lamlech, J. K. (2006). Curriculum and instructional methods for the elementary and middle school (6h ed.). , : Prentice-Hall/Merrit.

by Sarah Ganly

Winter Bulletin Board Ideas Using Recycled Materials

Winter bulletin board ideas using recycled materials are fun and easy to create. Making a winter bulletin board id a good way to get students excited for the winter season, and using recycled materials is a great way to inspire kids to recycle. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating winter bulletin board ideas using recycled materials.

Snowflakes

Snowflakes are the perfect theme for a winter bulletin board using recycled materials. For this bulletin board idea you will need coffee filters, scissors, markers, glitter, glue, and blue butcher paper. Start by covering the winter themed bulletin board with the butcher paper.

Then hand out the coffee filters to the students. Help students flatten out the filters and fold them in half several times. Help students turn the recycled filters into snowflakes by cutting different shapes out of the sides and top of the foiled filter. Make sure to leave areas of the folded sides attached so the snowflake remains intact.

Open up the snowflakes and allow students to write their names on the snowflake with the markers. Add glitter to the snowflakes using the glue and attach the snowflakes to the winter bulletin board when the glue has dried.

Mittens and Hot Chocolate

Another winter idea for a bulletin board using recycled magazines is a mitten and hot chocolate theme. For this winter bulletin board you will need paper to cover the bulletin board with, recycled magazines, pencils, scissors, markers, and cardboard. Start by covering the winter themed bulletin board. Create a hot chocolate template out of the cardboard using the pencil. Simply draw a rounded rectangle with a half circle handle attached to the side of it. Cut it out and set it aside.

Help students look through the magazine for patterns or colors they like. Help kids rip these pages out of the magazine. Divide the students in half and allow half to make mittens and half to make hot chocolate. Let the students make the mittens by tracing their hands with the fingers closed. Let the other students use the template. Help students cut out the mittens and hot chocolate. Help kids add their name with the markers and attach them to the winter bulletin board.

Recycled materials are inexpensive and fun to use, and using recycled materials will inspire your students to also be eco-friendly. These winter bulletin board ideas are quick and easy to create with students; so try them this winter in your classroom!

Back to School Countdown Day 2: Backpack Crafts, Wheeled Backpacks, Toddler Backpacks, and Spiderman for the Fans

Okay Day 2 in the Back to School Countdown and Today I am going to provide you with some fun backpack crafts and ideas for kids as they get ready for the first day of class!

Back to School Backpack Crafts for Kids

Foam


An easy back to school backpack craft for young kids uses foam sheets. For this craft you will also need scissors, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, fabric paint, a pen, and a backpack. Help young kids write their name on the foam sheets using the pen.

Then help kids use the scissors to cut out the letters. After the letters are cut out, help kids trace their name on the foam letters using the fabric paint. They can add patterns to the shapes as well if they like by using the fabric paints.

Allow the foam letters to dry. Help kids glue the letters to the back pack. This back to school craft is a fun way to help your kid keep track of his backpack.

Paint Markers

Another back to school craft that kids will enjoy is a paint marker patterned backpack. For this craft you will need paint markers in variety of colors, and a pencil. This craft is good for middle school and high school students.

Start this back to school, backpack craft by using the pencil to draw an image, pattern, or design on the backpack. If the backpack is a dark color, chalk can be used to initially draw the preferred pattern or image. Then help kids color in the images and patterns using the paint markers. Remember to allow paint to dry before using a new color marker.

Patches

This back to school craft is a great way to get kids involved in designing their back packs. This is an appropriate craft for kids that are young and old. For this craft you will need fabric glue, straight pins, and patches. If the kids are older you can allow them to use an iron for iron-on patches. Younger kids will practice motor skills by using fabric glue.

Start by picking out several patches that your kids like. Then place them in various spots on the backpack. When your kids are happy with where the patches are placed you can apply the glue or iron. If using glue add the straight pins after the glue is already applied. If ironing the patches on the backpack, use the straight pins to hold the patches in place when ironing.

Back to school backpack craft are a great way to help kids personalize their backpack

If you are wondering where to buy backpacks, check out these cute and fun back packs from Amazon. 


Wheeled Backpacks


     


























   






























Toddler Backpacks 


Toddler backpacks are so cute and perfect for the little ones.


     




























This toddler backpack is so cute and cheap It is great for a toddler. 





























Oh and spiderman backpacks are super popular. Seeing my nephew get excited about spiderman is reason enough to check out these spiderman backpacks.


   




























So hope you enjoyed my backpack crafts and ideas. If there is anything back to school related you would like information on leave me a comment and I will post a reply during this back to school countdown. Stay tuned for tomorrows installment and enjoy picking out and spicing up a backpack with you kid for this school year. 

Back to School Countdown: Bulletin Boards

I'm a lunch lady so I am starting to get into the back to school mood. I know I am not the only ones out there getting ready for the big day. So I decided to start the back to school countdown. Everyday, until school starts, for me it is Sept 6th, I will be posting something new to get everyone ready and excited about going back to school. Okay today I will focus on bulletin board ideas.

If you have any requests or any questions or even need some ideas or advice about anything back to school feel free to leave me a comment and I will do my best to help you!

Here are some bulletin board ideas for the first day of school.

Beach

A beach themed back to school bulletin board is a great idea that will remind kids about how much fun they had over the summer while also getting kids excited about being back in school. For this bulletin board you will need blue butcher paper, tan paper, scissors, markers, and a pencil.

Start this back to school bulletin board by covering the top of the bulletin board with the blue paper. Then cut a wavy edge on the tan colored paper and attach that to the bottom of the bulletin board. Provide each student with a piece of tan paper about 6 inches squared.

Help students create seashells by placing their fist palm down on the paper and tracing their fist. They can finish the shell by connecting the bottom lines were their wrist would be in a curved or pointed line. Help students cut out the shell shape and write their name on it. Allow the students to decorate the shell and hang it on the back to school bulletin board.

Tree and Butterfly

Another back to school bulletin board idea is a tree and butterfly theme. For this bulletin board you will need blue butcher paper, brown butcher paper, scissors, construction paper, a pencil, and markers. Start by covering the back to school bulletin board with the blue paper.

Then use the pencil to draw a tree branch shape onto the brown paper. Cut the tree branch out of the paper and attach it to the bulletin board. Hand out various sheets of construction paper and pencils to the students. Help the students trace their hands on the paper to create either leaves or a butterfly. To make a butterfly, students should trace both of their hands with their palms touching. Help students cut out their shapes and write their name on them. Students can hang the leaves and butterflies all over the back to school bulletin board.

Want to use Recycled Materials ?    These ideas are perfect

Wanted Ad

For this back to school bulletin board you will used recycled newspaper to cover the bulletin board. Remember to use the classified section to stick with the wanted ad theme. You can also used recycled magazines to cut out the letters spelling Wanted. This can be posted on the top of the bulletin board. You will also need to ask students to bring in a picture of themselves the first day of school.

Prior to the start of school the teacher should make out an application for students with interesting questions that will get them excited about coming back to school. The questions can pertain to the experience students will be having in the upcoming school year. Remember to leave a blank area at the top of the application to pate the student's folder. Copy and staple these applications together for the first day back to school.

On the first day explain to students that you have an opportunity for them; they have been chosen to participate in your classroom. You would like them to fill out the application. When they are done they can glue the photo to the top of the application and post it on the back to school bulletin board.

This back to school bulletin board idea uses recycled newspapers and magazines. It also provides teachers with a way to get to know students better, and it is appropriate for students in middle school and higher grade levels.

Garden of Learning

Another back to school bulletin board idea that uses recycled paper plates and magazines is the garden of learning bulletin board. For this back to school bulletin board, you will also need green paper, blue paper, scissors, and glue. Remember to have students each bring a photo of themselves the first day of school.

Start this project by handing out the magazines to the students. Help them cut out several strips of colorful paper. Then help them cut them into smaller sections about 2 inches long. Allow students to cut the photo into a circle with their faces in the middle. Also help kids cut the outside edge of the paper plate off.

Help students glue the picture to the center of the paper plate. Also help them add the 2 inch strips to the outside edge of the picture to resemble flower petals. Allow the glue to dry. Cover the bulletin board with green butcher paper. Write a message on the top of the board about gardening and learning and help students post their flowers on the board.

These bulletin board ideas are great for back to school, and they use recycled materials. Try these bulletin board ideas with your new students and they will love learning and recycling at the same time.