Materials
- samples of trash, such as plastic soda bottles,
- yogurt cup lids, plastic bags, and so on
- beach bag
- beach umbrella
- blue tablecloth or bath towel
- water toys, such as shovels, pails, beach balls, and so on
Preparation
- Place all the materials in the beach bag.
- Open the beach umbrella and set it in a special area in the classroom.
- Place the beach bag beneath the umbrella.
What to Do
1. Talk with the children about how we need to care for the Earth by keeping lakes, rivers, and oceans clean.
2. Invite the children to share their favorite activities to do while at the seaside.
3. Ask the children to share ideas about how they can care for the Earth by keeping the water clean.
4. Remove the blue towel (water) from the beach bag.
5. Display all the items on the "water."
6. Invite one child to come forward and remove the items that do not belong floating in the water.
7. Talk about how the trash and litter should be taken out of the "water" so the fish and other creatures can then live happily in the water.
8. Have the child set the water toys next to the water, as you explain how we always need to be careful that we do not leave our toys in the water.
Assessment
Consider the following:
- Can the children identify items that do not belong in the water?
- Do the children understand the importance of keeping water clean?
- Mary J. Murray, Mazomanie, WI
Instructions
Print "Our Earth" poem
on poster board.
What to Do
1. Set out a poster board with
the copy of the following
poem on it, and read the
poem with the children:
Our Earth by Kathryn Hake
The Earth is home to birds and fish,
Butterflies and bees,
Salamanders, snakes, and bears,
And people just like me.
We need to keep things clean and green
As we travel round the sun.
So we can live and eat and breathe
In this home for everyone.
2. After reading the children the poem, engage them in a discussion about the
kinds of things they can do to help keep the Earth clean and green. Copy the
children's suggestions onto the poster board.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Are the children able to learn the poem?
* Can the children name ways to care for the Earth?
