Practical Ideas for Earth Care in the Classroom
(that you can use RIGHT NOW!!)
1. Make "Blessed Are Those Who. . ." Posters.
Have students make posters advertising a new set of Beatitudes. Have each student start with the phrase "Blessed are those who. . ." and then finish the phrase with an action that shows care for the earth. Some example might include "Blessed are those who recycle," or "Blessed are those who turn off the lights when they leave a room." Then have students hang the posters up around the school or church facility for others to see and reflect on.
2. Organize a litter patrol to keep the grounds clean.
Assign one class each week to be in charge of picking up litter on the property. Rotate through all of the classes so that each week of the year is covered. Before discarding the litter in proper trash receptacles each week, have the students take inventory of the litter they found. Lead them in a discussion, asking questions such as "Why do people litter?" "Why is it wrong for people to litter?" and "What can you do as students to help people not to litter?"
3. Include prayers for the earth in prayer time.
Students know instinctively that petitions included in prayer time should be taken seriously; if we include prayers for the well-being of the earth when we pray as a class, students will come to realize that the health of the earth is a serious matter. There are earth prayers included on this website that can be used as a starting point for praying for the earth. Also encourage students to write or to offer their own prayers for the earth during prayer times.
4. Become seed savers.
Much of the world's biodiversity is being lost as large agribusinesses cross-pollinate seeds to create plants that yield the largest and most homogenous crops. Your class can help maintain biodiversity by planting seeds and maintaining the integrity of the seeds over generations. Not only will this help preserve biodiversity, it will also give your students a chance to come in direct contact with plant life through nurturing the growth process, an experience that will help to promote respect for the flora and fauna of the earth. See the following two websites for more details about becoming seed savers:
Seeds of Change offers a product that helps you to make planting pots out of newspaper- a perfect way to grow seeds inexpensively in the classroom. You can also order organic seeds from this web site, as well as learn about issues surrounding organic farming.
Seed Savers also offers seeds that can be ordered. It's "Common Questions" page offers good insight into why people should be interested in becoming seed savers.
5. Organize "Clean Air Transportation Day".
Many of us live within walking, biking, rollerblading, or skateboarding distance of our school or church. Have students organize and publicize a "Clean Air Transportation" day, where all students who are able to will commit to not using cars to get to school, class, or worship. In preparation for the day, have students do research about the harmful effects of car emissions and about what alternatives are being proposed to gasoline-powered cars and buses. If the one-time event is successful, try having a "Clean Air Transportation Day" once a month.
6. Learn about water conservation and practice it.
Help students to learn about water conservation and water purification. After they have done some research, have them brainstorm a list of how they might conserve water at home and at school. Some ideas might include turning the water off when soaping hands before washing them and only getting new board washing water when necessary. When students have come up with ideas, help them figure out ways to spread these ideas through posters or presentations to other members of the community.
7. Reuse and recycle.
Make sure to have a paper recycling bin close to your regular trash can, and point out where other recycling receptacles can be found in your building. If there are not recycling receptacles for cans, glass, and plastic, have the students find ways to get bins for this purpose on site. Have students make signs to go by waste baskets saying "Can it be reused?" and encourage students to think of creative ways to reuse things they may have otherwise thrown away.
8. Use natural light as much as possible.
Put students in charge of determining whether the overhead lights need to be on or not. If class takes place during the daylight hours in a room with natural lighting, encourage the students to keep the overhead lights off.
9. Be creative with paper usage.
Encourage students to use both sides of pieces of paper, and try to make photocopies utilizing both sides of the paper. Use paper with writing only on one side for scratch paper. Consider whether activities always have to be done on paper; could they be done on blackboards, whiteboards, computers, or through discussion?
10. Write letters to government officials regarding ecological issues in your neighborhood.
Have students research who the local, state, and national governmental representatives are in your area. Encourage them to bring to class information about political debates dealing with environmental issues they find in the paper or on the news. Discuss both sides of a particular issue with your class, and then assist them in writing letters to the appropriate congress people expressing their opinions.