Some highlights and activities on tap for Earth Week.
Birds of Garbage:
Throughout Earth Week, you will see some very interesting birds hanging around. The Art Committee and the Eco Team joined forces to create a see through bird filled with garbage. Why can we see through it and why is there garbage inside it? To show what happens to our animals when we throw garbage on the ground. The animals will think it is food and end up eating sharp plastic, choking on packaging, or poisoned by stay-fresh packets.
Outdoor games:
Will be run by House Heads and Teacher Volunteers – the games will take place at designated areas outside (to be announced). If you’d like to volunteer, send Madame Martin an email please.
Pledges:
Have students sign an Earth Day pledge (“I will turn off the lights when I leave the room”, “I will turn off the water while shaving or brushing my teeth”, etc.) To display the pledges, you can have students make a mural of their written promises, simply write them up on a poster to hang in your classroom, or just make a verbal contract. Here are some pledge ideas:
Take a short shower instead of a bath.
Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth.
Hang washing instead of using your dryer.
Replace a car journey by walking, cycling or using the TTC.
Bring a lunch with zero packaging.
Challenge the students to bring a lunch that has only re-usable containers – challenge them to not have to throw out a single piece of garbage at the end of lunch or snack.
What does a waste-free lunch look like?
http://www.wastefreelunches.org/what-is-a-waste-free-lunch-program.html#what-does-it-look-like
Plant something!!
Do this as a class project indoors or encourage the students to plant something at home. The Eco Team is growing a mini-garden in Madame Martin’s classroom, and Ms. Davies has generously donated some sprouts for us to grow as well!
Remember: Make sure the species you are planting are indigenous to your area!
Smaller and indoor-friendly projects you can get involved in:
Grow sprouts (really easy, low maintenance, edible)
Plant “cool-season vegetables” (Lettuce, Chard, Radishes, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Carrots, Kale, Spinach, Peas, Spring Mix, Beets, Potatoes)
Big outdoor projects you can get involved in:
Work with local tree-planting group(s).
Remove Exotic Invasive Species
Work with local botanists, biologists, and landowners to determine the scope and needs of each ecosystem.
Visit from Kevin Myron (Grade 5’s, 6’s, & 7’s)
Anishnawbe Storyteller Kevin Myran will be coming to the Crestwood Gym at 10 am on April 20th. The visit will be an hour long (10-15 minutes at the end for questions).
He will come with guests of his own and beautiful stories to tell. Kevin works with the Toronto organization, “Council Fire” and runs an educational outreach program called, “Little Embers”. Kevin seeks to break down stereotypes and make connections through story telling and discussion. I invited him to speak to the Primary kids last year and he was inspiring. His stories were threaded with life lessons and messages of courage and strength.
I hope you will enjoy!
THAT’S ALL FOLKS! HAVE A GREAT EARTH WEEK !!
MADAME MARTIN
