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username: TCFD password: Discovery123

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April 22 is Earth Day. It is a national day to focus on the environment, and rallies are held to promote sustainable alternatives for a healthy planet. Part of the "All About the Holidays" series.

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Gather recycled items and create a sculpture.  

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Gather recycled items and create a sculpture.  

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What you see here is one of the most successful art projects that's hit our household thus far. And it was free! What was the allure?

Working on a large scale

Low heat Glue Gun.

Piles of imagination-building materials

Collecting objects

Autonomy with decision-making

A novel project.

Recyclables

Low-heat glue gun. We use the Cool Shot - it's fantastic for little kids and we haven't had an incident yet. Be sure to get a few packages of extra glue sticks too.

Paint (optional). We used washable tempera, which is great for enjoying the process, but will not last over time (it flakes off). For paint with a more permanent bond, use acrylic paint.

Paintbrushes (optional). These brushes from Melissa and Doug are nice for preschoolers.

It all began when we unearthed these very cool cardboard pieces that protected our new ice-cream maker (mmmm, thank you again danielle and dave!). So we decided to paint them. This carried on for a few minutes and then we moved on while they dried.

Later on, we started an art-recycling bag full of more materials to paint. But the pile kept growing and growing until I guess the materials were suggestive of a new idea altogether...

Building!! It quickly became a challenge to balance the boxes, tubes, and bottles without toppling it all over.

Making it really, really tall. You can see the painted ice cream box piece way up there. And then the fun part...

I bet you saw that coming 🙂

And then, finally, we glued pieces together to make a more permanent sculpture.

This is where you get the low-heat glue gun out and share a few tips on safe handling:

Don't touch the tip of the glue gun

Don't touch the hot glue right after it comes out of the gun.

The learning opportunities were so rich: we talked about sculpture as dimensional art, learned about how a glue gun works, made compositional choices, and embraced decision-making skills through the selection of objects.

Although I used a low-heat glue gun (these are amazing for kids), I still manned the gun and N told me where to glue. It was great! She would select a piece and then decide where she wanted it. There were a few moments where we collaborated to discuss placement, but she was mostly in charge. You can see her pointing to where she wants that toilet paper roll glued down.

In fits of inspiration, she bolted in and out of the room to find more treasures for her sculptures. I especially like that red ribbon. Don't you? Oh, and if anyone ever wondered what we eat in our house, wonder no more!

We made three of these sculptures that afternoon, and got very good at working with the variegated materials. Throughout the week, N collected sticks and other natural materials during our walks and would say, "Let's take it home to make art with it!" I love this kid!

How do you or your family like to use recycled materials? Feel free to add a link or photo in the comments section!

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How to make a recycled Sculpture with kids What you see here is one of the most successful art projects that's hit our household thus far. And it was free! What was the allure? Working on a large scale Low heat Glue Gun. Piles of imagination-building materials Collecting objects Autonomy with decision-making A novel project.

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Moments of escape and discovery with these complex coloring pages galleries inspired by Nature. Fauna and flora are also represented, and you can even enjoy magnificent drawings of Landscapes that only wait some colors to become absolutely stunning.

In the Animals page, you will find many categories, for the main animal species. If you prefer, discover our cute Butterflies and other insects. ...

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Moments of escape and discovery with these complex coloring pages galleries inspired by Nature. Fauna and flora are also represented, and you can even enjoy magnificent drawings of Landscapes that only wait some colors to become absolutely stunning. In the Animals page, you will find many categories, for the main animal species.

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Watch this video on Reducing, Reusing and Recycling

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Watch this video on Reducing, Reusing and Recycling

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Read about Earth Day in this News-2-You article

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Read about Earth Day in this News-2-You article

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Read about recycling and then try to sort pictures of recyclables

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Read about recycling and then try to sort pictures of recyclables

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This workbook makes sense of cents and the dollar bill. This set of worksheets will usher kids through counting, matching prices to money, and making change, with word problems and visual aids.

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What is Recycling? | Lesson Plan | Education.com | Lesson plan | Education.com

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What is recycling all about? What can and can't be recycled? What can I do to help others understand the importance of recycling? This activity helps students answer all of these questions as they learn about saving planet Earth.

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This lesson uses leaves, you can use flowers, leaves, grass, etc. whatever you can find.

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Watch this video on Extinct and Endangered Species

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Watch this video on Extinct and Endangered Species

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Extinct and Endangered Species - BrainPOP Jr.

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Read this article from Scholastic News entitled "Beach of Glass"

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Read this article from Scholastic News entitled "Beach of Glass"

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Children will evaluate arguments for and against protecting a beach filled with sea glass.

Science and Social Studies Focus:

environmental protection

key details, vocabulary, opinion writing

Page 4 Skill:

nonfiction text features

Vocabulary:

sea glass, souvenirs

RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.10, W.2.1, SL.2.3

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Children will evaluate arguments for and against protecting a beach filled with sea glass. Science and Social Studies Focus: environmental protection key details, vocabulary, opinion writing Page 4 Skill: nonfiction text features Vocabulary: sea glass, souvenirs RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.10, W.2.1, SL.2.3

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EyeDiscover
Hardcover Titles

Each hardcover book is packed with special features designed for reluctant readers.

Every spread of each EyeDiscover book is connected to a high-resolution video, bringing the content on the pages to life.

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EyeDiscover Optic Readalongs · EyeDiscover

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Each hardcover book is packed with special features designed for reluctant readers. Every spread of each EyeDiscover book is connected to a high-resolution video, bringing the content on the pages to life.

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Write your own poem for the earth.

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Learn why and how to compost in this sorting activity

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Learn why and how to compost in this sorting activity

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Watch this video on how to make Fairy Gardens and then make your own.

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Watch this video on how to make Fairy Gardens and then make your own.

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Kindness Rocks:  Find some nice smooth stones, turn them into kindness rocks

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Kindness Rocks:  Find some nice smooth stones, turn them into kindness rocks

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These 6 kindness rocks instructions will help you to create beautiful rocks that will bring a smile to anyone's face. This project is great for any skill level and can be done individually or as a large group activity.

What are kindness rocks?

With the rock painting craze in high gear, you may be wondering what are kindness rocks anyway?

Kindness rocks is a viral trend where people, paint rocks or stones with inspirational messages or sayings. Then they leave them in public places for people to find. The intention is to spread kindness and love to people around the world.

These painted stones are pretty simple to create and don't require a lot of instruction. But there are some important kindness rocks rules.

Kindness Rocks Rules

Make sure that you seal your rocks well. You want them to hold up to the elements until they are found.

Never glue embellishments to rocks you plan on hiding. While they are beautiful, these additions are terrible for the environment and the animals. No matter how strong you think that glue is, a squirrel is going to be able to pick it off. Stick to paint on any rock you plan on hiding.

Be kind. These rocks are meant to make people happy, so their phrases should always be positive. Stay clear of negative thoughts, bad language, or anything inappropriate. You never know who is going to find the rocks.

Place your rocks in open spaces, not in places that will disturb nature or ruin a lawnmower.

Kindness Rocks Instructions

We've broken the process down into 6 steps. Use your imagination to create the final product. These steps will just get you through the process.

1. Find the perfect rock.

Starting with the right rock makes all the difference. You want a nice and smooth rock, this will help make writing on the rocks easier. The size of the rock is important too. Think about how much space your message will take and choose a rock that's big enough for all the words. We have found several specialty rocks that will make perfect kindness rocks.

2. Prep the rocks.

Once you buy your rocks, you want to make sure they are ready to be painted. Washing your rocks makes the paint stick better and removes any debris from the stones. Check out our instructions on preparing rocks for painting.

4. Add an inspirational message.

Finding what to write on a kindness rock can a challenge. We are working on creating a kindness rocks sayings list. Until then, check out this fun list of inspirational sayings that may help you decide.

We know that hand lettering can be a challenge. It's something that a lot of people struggle with. Here are some lettering tips, and practice sheets, that will help with your hand lettering.

6. Hide or give your kindness rocks.

This is the most important step. You can have a bumpy, dirty rock, with a messy word on it. As long as you hand it to someone, and it makes them smile, you have succeeded.

Hiding your rocks in public has some rules, but you don't have to hide them. Here are some other ways to give kindness rocks:

Give them to friends and family.

Place them on a co-worker's desk.

Donate them to charities.

Decorate your home.

Give them to teachers.

Give them as party favors.

Place them in your child's backpack.

Kindness Rocks Ideas

If you are still feeling like you need some inspiration. Check out our Pinterest board of kindness rocks ideas.

Pin these instructions for how to paint kindness rocks.

Pinning helps us grow! We love creating rock painting inspiration for beginners. Every time someone shares, they help make it possible for us to share new content with you. If you know someone who would love these kindness rocks inspiration, please share on Facebook, Instagram, or on Pinterest.

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Kindness rocks instructions: 6 steps to amazing kindness stones

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These 6 kindness rocks instructions will help you to create beautiful rocks that will bring a smile to anyone's face. This project is great for any skill level and can be done individually or as a large group activity. With the rock painting craze in high gear, you may be wondering what are kindness rocks anyway?

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Read this article about Earth Day from National Geographic

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Read this article about Earth Day from National Geographic

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Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! That's why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. By taking part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, we're making our world a happier, healthier place to live.

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when a United States senator from Wisconsin organized a national demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. Rallies took place across the country and, by the end of the year, the U.S. government had created the Environmental Protection Agency. By 1990, Earth Day was an event celebrated by more than 140 countries around the globe.

You can celebrate and protect the planet at the same time. Check out these Earth Day ideas to help save the planet any time of year.

BECOME A WASTE WARRIOR

The number of garbage trucks Americans fill each year would stretch halfway to the moon. Toilet paper tubes, made from cardboard, take two months to decompose in a landfill. A plastic bottle sticks around for way longer-it can take over 450 years to break down! But instead of turning to the trash bin, you could turn these items into an awesome telescope or a flower planter. Before you throw something away, think about whether it can be recycled or repurposed. You can also limit waste by reducing the amount of things you buy. For example, check the library for that book you have to read before visiting the store.

PLANT A TREE

Researchers estimate roughly 15 billion trees in the world are cut down each year, so help offset that loss by planting a tree of your own. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen for people to breathe. They also provide shelter and food for animals such as squirrels and owls. Depending on where trees are planted, their shade can even reduce the need for air-conditioning in hotter months. How many more reasons do you need to go green?

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS

Does that lamp really need to be on while the sun is out? Electricity doesn't just happen-it has to be produced from things around us. A lot of times it comes from fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that contribute to climate change. But electricity can also be made from renewable sources like wind, water, the sun, and even elephant dung! No matter where it's coming from, try conserving electrical energy by using only what you need.

LIMIT YOUR WATER USAGE

It might seem like it's everywhere, but clean, drinkable water is a limited resource. In fact less than one percent of the water on Earth can be used by humans. (The rest is either too salty or too difficult to access.) Turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth can conserve up to eight gallons of water a day. To help save even more water, challenge yourself to take a shorter shower (but still get clean!).

OFFER YOUR TIME

With a parent's permission, volunteer to pick up trash at a nearby park, start a collection drive for recyclable items, or organize a screening of an environmentally themed movie. By getting involved and working with others, you're not just helping the Earth-you're making new friends too!

SPREAD THE MESSAGE

Talk to your friends and family members about what you're doing and ask them to help. Need to get the conversation started? Get everyone together and reconnect with nature by taking one of our Get Outside challenges, or check out some other green tips you can share. The more people do, the better off our planet will be!

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Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! That's why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. By taking part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, we're making our world a happier, healthier place to live.

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Make a spring collage inspired by nature

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Make a spring collage inspired by nature

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I am loving the way my son's Spring tree art Project turned out! It was inspired by a pretty spring tree craft from Red Ted Art. It is made with items found in nature.

We went on a short Nature Hike around our home to find items to create the crafts with. Big Brother used his bug catcher to collect items and Little Sister used her butterfly catcher. They only collected items they found on the ground instead of picking the beautiful parts still attached to the bushes, etc. Thankfully there was a ton of spring-colored flowers and leaves lying in teeny piles where they had fallen down. We only picked ones that retained their color even though they were dried up and yellow ones. The kids also found several twigs to use for the tree trunk.

Using a big sheet of paper, they painted glue over the entire surface. At first, Big Brother was frustrated because his twigs weren't staying down. The thinner ones with no curves in them work the best. He started to get to the point where he didn't like what we were creating, so I had him start sticking the colorful pieces we had collected while I finished the trunk. This got him excited and he proudly exclaimed, "Mom, my tree is going to look so beautiful!" He loved choosing what pieces went where. I also showed him how much fun it was to crumble some of the leaves and dried flowers in our hands, then sprinkle over the paper.

My toddler girl made a Nature Collage. She was so content with putting things on and then taking them off again, LOL! I really like the way her craft turned out as well.
What nature-inspired crafts have you made in the past?

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Nature-Inspired Spring Tree Art & Nature Collage - Artsy Momma

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Inspire your students with thousands of free teaching resources including videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to state and national standards.

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Go on a walk and collect flowers.  Use the attached instructions to press the flowers.  You can use the pressed flowers in all sorts of art projects.

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Go on a walk and collect flowers.  Use the attached instructions to press the flowers.  You can use the pressed flowers in all sorts of art projects.

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Play the "Clean Up Your Own Backyard" game

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Play the "Clean Up Your Own Backyard" game

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Activity Overview

Clean Up Your Own Backyard is one of the kids' favorite games both at home, in the neighborhood, and in gym class at school. We found a way to put our big basket of lonely mismatched socks to use and a way to give the kids a quick and intense release of energy and laughter all at the same time.

You can use balled up socks, wads of newspaper, or lightweight balls. The object of the game is to crawl around on all fours and grab as many pieces of trash as you can and throw it into the other teams side/ backyard. The team or person with the least amount of trash in their backyard is the winner.

Materials Needed

a basket of unpaired socks

soft foam balls, or ball pit balls, or newspaper wads

A rope, chalk line, or a net

a timer

How to Play

1. Select an wide open backyard area to play and dived the are in half with a rope or a chalk line. If you have a volleyball net, this works great as well.

2. Roll your mismatched socks into pairs and spread an equal amount in each backyard. If you have other lightweight items like foam balls or ball pit balls or balled up newspaper you can use them too. Scatter them equally on each side.

3. Divide your players into two teams and set them up on their assigned side of the playing field. Each team's side is their own backyard.

4. Players should all get down on their hands and knees.

5. Someone starts by saying On your mark, get set, go! At this time, all players crawl around on all fours collecting balled up socks and balls and tossing them as fast as they can to the other team's yard, while the other team does the same into your yard.

6. The team with the fewest socks and objects in their backyard after two minutes is the winner.

7. All players clean up.

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Clean Up Your Own Backyard is one of the kids' favorite games both at home, in the neighborhood, and in gym class at school. We found a way to put our big basket of lonely mismatched socks to use and a way to give the kids a quick and intense release of energy and laughter all at the same time.

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Egg Carton Tree {Kid's Earth Day Craft} We took something we normally would have thrown away and turned it into beautiful tree themed art piece.