K-12 Environmental Education Activities


Here are some ideas, divided by grade level and subject area, that you can use to instill environmental learning when you are looking for something to fill a gap in your activity plan.


GRADES K-2 Science Garbage Gardens


Have students bring in an egg carton and empty halved egg shells from six eggs. Pierce the bottom of the egg shells and fill them with composted soil. Place the egg shells in the egg carton to keep upright. Plant various types of seeds in the egg shells. Make sure to label each student’s egg carton with their names and the types of seeds they planted. Extend the learning by creating experiments dealing with the effects of natural environmental variations such as light and water as well as “artificial” variations including the application of household hazardous wastes found in the classroom (check out areas around your sink for these products).


Social Studies Nautical Neighbors


If there is a marina area, take the class on a tour of it. Arrange a tour of a fishing boat, and have the skipper explain all the different equipment and the variety of jobs aboard the craft.


Getting Down to Basics List all the items below on the


Page 38


Photo courtesy of Cathy Rezabeck (see article on page 48). www.clearingmagazine.org


chalkboard. Then ask students, one at a time, to erase something that could harm the environment. Beds, foam cups, what, war, polio shots, oil, atom bomb, pine trees, friends, sneakers, car, hairspray, vegetables, television, plastics, hamburgers, gold, food coloring, love, lawnmower, oxygen, zippers, flowers, aspirin, rockets, ice cream, water, candy bar, computers, grass,


CLEARING Spring 2018


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