I have to create a theme unit on recycling/Earth day. Any suggestions on activities or lessons I could use?

Question

This is for a class I am taking on early childhood education. Thanks.

Answer 1

These lessons worked well for me:
To illustrate acid rain- Take 2 small identical plants, water one with plain water and one with a vinegar/water solution. Give it a week or two and the 'acid treated' plant will show results.
To illustrate the importance of recycling and the concept of biodegradability: Take a big pot of dirt. Bury an apple core, a piece of aluminum foil or styrofoam and a bottle cap. After 30 days or so, (make a big deal out of marking the days off on a calendar) dig up each of the items and talk about why the apple core dissolved and
the other stuff did not. Talk about the concept of 'land fill' and how this stuff will NEVER go away.
To illustrate erosion, plant 2 or 3 small plants in a shallow dish.Take another dish and just put rocks and dirt in it. Put both at an angle and pour water slowly over them. Discuss how the water erodes the soil because there are no plant roots to keep the soil in place- which is a result of deforestation.
Take old newspapers, tear them into little pieces, soak them in water, mush them up in a blender, drain them through a sieve, lay the pulp out to dryin flat sheets and you have made recycled paper.

Answer 2

As a consolidation activity I think it's a great idea to prepare a town hall meeting where students represent different interest groups meeting to discuss an environmental issue. I always do it with teachers, biologists, hunters, real estate developers, farmers and truck drivers meeting to discuss whether a local wetland area should be drained to make room for a golf course. I give the students time to research and prepare, then we run the town meeting in an informal debate style (no addressing the mayor but still only one person speaking at a time, controlled rebuttals, etc.)

Answer 3

Try www.enchantedlearning.com This site has many age appropriate activities. Also, try www.teacherplanet.com. This site has lists of sites and activities based on month themes. Usually, earth day is in April.

Answer 4

Use 100% post-consumer recycled material for any projects you turn in, this will get you an A.

Answer 5

There is a great site on Pennsylvania's DEP website. Try your home state DEP.

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/justforkids/site/default.asp?envedNav=|