Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!

Hi and welcome back to Attentionology for K – 5 Teachers!

If animals could speak, what would they say? They would urge us to take good care of “Mother Earth!”

In sunshine or rain, creative teachers find engaging ways to celebrate Earth Day outdoors or inside.

April 22 is designated as Earth Day in the United States and over 190 other countries around the world. Related events are scheduled for days before and after.

Since Earth Day falls on a Saturday this year, plan time ahead to involve your class in activities that promote the good stewardship of natural resources.

Teach that Every Day is Earth Day! –  Many teachers work to help children master the concept that April 22 marks an “official event,” but “every day can be Earth Day.”

If the Animals Could Speak – Personification is a sure way to catch and keep K – 5 kids’ attention. Place a large stuffed animal near a globe on a table or shelf in your classroom and “bring the animal to life”…personification for teaching.

During one of your Earth Day activities, stand by the stuffed animal and globe and ask a challenging question that leads to a group discussion…

The Q – If the animals could speak, what would they say about taking care of “Mother Earth?”

After students offer answers, which you may note on a chalkboard, whiteboard or Smartboard, share my short poem (below) with the class.

NOTE: Depending on students’ grade level, you may need to explain the meanings of conservation and conservationists before reading aloud.

If the Animals Could Speak

If the animals could speak and the trees could somehow

shake us to action, to conserving more now,

then the world would be more certain to see

a future of promise for you and for me,

for the children, for the children;

we must teach them to be, not once in a while,

but daily conservationists…daily conservationists.

Ideas for Earth Day celebrations continue… (more…)