Going Green!

We are learning about the environment and how to identify and protect our Natural Resources.

I used this book with six students during small group guided reading instruction.  It provided an overview of various aspects of geography and geology, including the poles, dinosaurs, glaciers, islands, continents, volcanoes, water sources, forests, deserts, caves, mountains and canyons.  Students enjoyed discussing their favorite parts and they were quickly able to make "text to real world" connections.  The book became a favorite choice during our read to someone time and a student choice for "take home" reading!

Here's a quick look at some of our projects!

front side of the Earth

back side of the Earth

Here's A Look At A Writing Project 

Students wrote about ways in which they can help make a difference in the world around them.  Students painted the edges of a blue circle to resemble land on the Earth and then they designed a cut out of themselves to glue at top of the world.  

After reading a darling post over at the First Grade Parade, I modified my original project to include the student's handprint in the center of the Earth!  The green hand is featured in one of Mrs. Carroll's fantastic ideas!  I am so glad she shared it with all of us.  My first graders LOVED adding their handprints to the design!  

Want to try this project with your favorite students?

We also focused on the 3R's!  We wrote about ways we can recycle, reduce, and reuse to take care of the Earth!

A Great Read Aloud for the Classroom

Going Green Kids

Students designed a t-shirt to demonstrate their understanding of limited natural resources and the ways in which they can make a difference.

We are also learning about plants and trees!

Here's a look at our "Trees Are Terrific" project! 

 Just in time for Arbor Day!

Finger Paint a Tree!

You'll need an 11 by 17 lightly colored construction paper background, brown and green tempera paint, green construction paper strips for grass, and a title.  Students can add background details with crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc.

Here's a title for the art!

Click above to download.

Here's Another Great Read Aloud

And I just have to share the cover of this book as well.  It's a beautifully illustrated read aloud that encourages the creation of an outdoor habitat!  Perfect for Spring, Earth Day, and Learning Through Nature!


We even managed to have some "Going Green" fun with probability!


Here's a math activity, if you are interested!

Click above to download.

Students cut apart the cards, place the cards in a small brown paper bag, and shake the bag.  Students pick a card from the bag and graph the card.  Students continue picking and graphing ten times.  Students compare results and discuss their findings.  Students were asked to reuse the bags for an at home as part of a "green" project ~ ideas my students shared with me included bag puppets, snack bags, and a trash bag to pick up litter from the yard!  

Hope you've had a great week!