What on Earth!: Preschool Activities and Lesson Plans for Earth Day and Earth Week

We live in a big, wide world full of wacky and wild habitats including desolate deserts and ominous oceans. Why not explore the nature loveliness of the earth by celebrating Earth Day this Monday (April 22nd) with one of these ecological activities or centers.

Earth Day Fun Facts

• The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. 
• Its founder is former Senator Gaylord Nelson. 
• Earth Day can be turned into Earth Week. 

To Learn More About Earth Day 

History Channel Earth Day Page: http://www.history.com/topics/earth-day

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:  http://www.epa.gov/earthday/

Especially for Kids

Scholastic : http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=826

Funschool: http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/earth-day/

PBS Kids: http://pbskids.org/games/earthday.html

Book to Read 

Earth Day Birthday by Maureen Wright


Fine Motor/Water Table 

Turn your sensory/water table into a garden by dumping a bag of clean, packaged soil into it. Make a small hole in the dirt and place a plastic flower frog inside it (you will need several flower frogs for this center). Place silk flowers within the holes of the flower frog and cover with dirt. You may also hide plastic bugs and worms in the dirt so that you water table resembles an outdoor garden habitat. Provide small children's gardening shovels, a watering can, aprons and used seed packets in order to complete this gorgeous garden.

Math 

Earth Sizing (Source: http://itsybitsylearners.com/2012/04/earth-day-preschool-activities-printables-pack/)Sequence the earth from smallest to largest or vice versa.

Sort Recyclables
Speak to the children about recycling and keeping the earth clean and then perform this activity.
Gather several cans, bottles, papers etc. Write the words Paper, Plastic, and Metal on 3 bags or boxes and have the children sort by recyclables type.

Language Arts 

Keep or Throw Away (Source: http://www.kidsparkz.com/earthday.html )
Speak to the children about items which they should keep or throw away. Show children the items and ask them if they should keep it or throw it away and why. Have them place the item on the graph in the appropriate column: Keep or throw away.

Science

Earth Habitats (Source: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/earth/printable/45116.html)
Show children the various landforms found on earth: rivers, lakes, mountains etc. (such as the sheet below). Have children describe what they see in the pictures and then have the children look through travel magazines or National Geographic to locate pictures resembling those that were spoken about in  order to make an ecosystem collage.

Art/Fine Motor 

Earth Day Windsock (Source: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth/mdaubers.htm)
Grab your daubers and crayons to design a lovely windsock using the following template. Add streamers to the bottom of the heart for a fluttery surprise. Older preschoolers could also decorate their windsock with large buttons or gems  to add extra flair.

Things to Do 

• Have snack outside picnic style. 
• Plant a school garden or tree. If that's not possible, buy peat pots and have the children plant a vegetable or flower. 
• Take your preschoolers on a nature walk through your neighborhood. 

Music and Movement 

"Earth is in our Hands" (Tune: "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands") (Source: http://itsybitsylearners.com/2012/04/earth-day-preschool-activities-printables-pack/)

Field Trips and Speakers

• Have a garbageman or environmentalist visit your school and talk about his job. 
• Visit a recycling center. 
• Visit a local arboretum or garden. 
• Take a nature walk through your neighborhood. 

Have a Happy Earth Day!

Earth Sizing, Earth Habitats, Keep or Throw Away 

Bingo Dauber Template for Earth Day Windsock and Earth is in our Hands! song