Category — Earth Day

Materials: Sandwich bag, a piece of paper the size of the sandwich bag, a variety of items you might normally throw away or recycle (magazines, colored paper scraps, wrapping paper, ribbon, yarn, sequins, etc.).
Directions:
1. Create a picture with recyclable items and glue on one side of the paper.
2. Write a short story or poem on the opposite side of the picture. If your grandchild isn’t writing yet have them tell you what to write and they can sign their name.
3. Slide the paper in the sandwich bag. The items from the picture won’t get lost and your grandchild with have the picture and the story they created together.

Variation: You can use a photograph of a special event or a post card from a vacation and write about it. The sandwich bag will keep it protected.

These books are make from items you already have around the house. It’s a great activity and you’re recycling too!

Name Book

This is from Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord’s recent newsletter. I was fortunate enough to attend this workshop.
We made this simple name book as the introductory activity in the teacher workshop in Utah this summer. Each person had one sheet of copy paper with writing on one side, two covers cut from cereal boxes (for US Letter paper the covers were 3″ x 4.5″), glue stick, scrap paper, and scissors. On each table was a pile of miscellaneous collage papers. A good way to place them is in styrofoam trays for vegetables from the supermarket. I led the class through the construction of the accordion book. Each person then cut the letters of her (or his) name out of the collage papers and glued them across the accordion.
I like starting with this activity because it gives a taste of both aspects of bookmaking in one small package: following directions in the construction phase and independent creative work in the name phase. It also uses the accordion book as one long panel rather than separate pages and sends the message that book s can be places to experiment and have fun.
We did a show and tell of our books and used them to introduce ourselves. We then hung them from a yarn line for some instant room decoration. You could also have branches in a container and hang the books.
If you are doing it with a class, I think it’s important for you to make a book along with the children. I think we need to take every opportunity we can to show our students that we are all in this together. We often forget that we are asking them to put themselves on the line every time they write something and share it and we need to acknowledge it and sometimes do the same.
Get more bookmaking ideas from Susan

This is an easy gift idea for fathers made from a CD cover.

Find a CD cover that you’re not using. I have several because I have a special case in my car to hold my CDs.

Trace paper to fit inside then decorate with photos, stickers and markers. Be sure to write a special message. Slide the decorated paper into the cover. You may need to use some clear tape to hold the paper.

Dad can display this on his desk at work or someplace that he can see it often.

This activity is not just for Earth Day but is great all year round. Before you recycle your old magazines and newspapers, let your grandchildren use them to create stories or books.
You’ll need magazines, newspapers scissors, glue, blank paper and a pencil. Let your grandchildren cut out pictures and words to create an original story.

Arbor Day is April 30th, and wouldn’t planting a tree be a fun activity to do with your grandchildren or children. When you plant the tree it’s great to dedicate it to someone special or something you want to celebrate. One year my children and I planted a tree in honor of my father, their grandfather. We each wrote a special note and buried it in the ground with the tree. My children began calling it grandpa’s tree. If you don’t have a space to plant a tree find a park or another public place. Check with your city, I’m sure the donation of a tree would be greatly appreciated. To find information about planting trees and other Arbor Day activities go to ARBORDAY.ORG.

In celebration of Earth Day make these beads from paper you would normally throw away or recycle.
Materials:
A variety of paper (magazines, comics, wrapping paper, etc.)
Scissors,
Glue,
Pencil
Yarn
Directions:
1. Cut strips of paper measuring about 4 inches long. The width may vary from 1/2 – 1 inch depending on the size of bead you want.
2. Wrap the strip of paper snug around a pencil.
3. Glue the end of the bead.
4. Slide the bead off the pencil.
5. Make enough beads for a necklace or bracelet and string them with yarn.

The math connection is stringing the beads in a pattern using color, size or both.

Looking ahead to Earth Day on April 22, here a some great sites that have free activities for kids. I”ve already printed a coloring book for my grandkids.
Disney Green Planet Printables
NASA Earth Day Activity Book
Happy Earth Day Coloring Book
Eco-Kids Calendar
Earth Day Bookmarks to Color