Materials
pictures of various cacti as well as pictures of other
plants, such as roses, daffodils, vegetables, and more
drawing of a cactus on art paper (1 per child)
paper
colored pencils or crayons
Instructions
* Display the picture of a tree at one end of the balance beam.
* Display the collection of paper products at the other end of the balance beam.
What to Do
1. Remind the children that paper comes from trees, and that the more paper we
use, the more trees have to be cut down.
2. Talk with the children about the importance of using fewer paper products as
a way of caring for our Earth.
3. Display the various items listed under "materials" and invite the children to
share what they can do to conserve paper.
4. Remind the children they can use fewer paper products or use something in
place of each paper product.
5. Demonstrate how to pick up one of the paper products and carry it across the
balance beam, then set the item down by the picture of the tree.
6. As you display the item near the tree picture, recite the following: "I will use
less paper. I will save more trees."
7. Invite the children to pick up an item and repeat the process you modeled.
8. Repeat the activity with more materials.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Do the children make the connection between paper and trees?
* Listen and assess the children's understanding and oral language skills as the
children do the activity.
