A Montessori classroom often strives to be earth-friendly on a regular basis, basically celebrating Earth Day every day. Children care for plants both in the classroom and in the outdoor environment. Nature is incorporated into scientific study for all ages, using real plants and animals. Many schools make their own compost while tending to their own gardens, and boast big recycling programs. Community building activities can make Earth Day projects a little more special.
Clean Up Trash for Earth Day
A traditional Earth Day project for a Montessori classroom of any age is to go outside to clean up trash and litter from the school grounds. If allowed by administration, and with parental permission, expand clean-up efforts to include the entire neighborhood. Walk local streets in the community with trash bags to fill from the debris found on sidewalks. Be sure to bring a basket for collecting nature treasures! (Remind children to avoid walking in others' yards and in the street.)
Plan a class field trip to a local park to assist in Earth Day clean-up. If it is not possible to go during school hours, set up a party or get-together for after school, to encourage parents to get involved. Sell food or make it a potluck dinner. Raise money to give to local parks or clean-up efforts. A similar function could also be held on school grounds, if space allows.
Gardening With Children
Children love to grow plants and flowers. Earth Day is a good time to have children do seed experiments, where they put lima beans in a baggie with a wet paper towel, then hang in the window. They will be able to watch how the seed absorbs the water and grows into a plant. At the same time, they could plant other types of seeds into small cups of soil. Easy-to-grow seeds include marigolds, cosmos, all beans, and peas. Experiment with other varieties of seeds to see what grows best.
Have children prepare their own compost to use in the planting processes. Save table scraps from lunch and snack for the children to compost. They can also save leftover coffee grounds from the staff room or bring in rinsed egg shells from home to grind with a mortar and pestle. All of these things can be used to amend the soil when preparing for planting.
Hold a penny drive, in which children save up and donate their pennies. Save up to purchase a small bush or tree that can be planted and dedicated by the classroom or school. On a smaller scale, they could also purchase other kinds of plants or flowers to be planted in an outdoor garden or window box. Children love to dig in the dirt and care for their plants.
Caring for the environment and engaging with nature are traditional parts of the Montessori curriculum. Make Earth Day extra special by including families on bigger projects. Plan to continue the efforts throughout the entire year.
Further Reading:
Richter, Robert "Skip." "Composting for Kids." Texas A&M University. Retrieved 5-14-10.
Andrea Coventry - Andrea Coventry is a Montessori child, now Montessori educator, with 25 years' experience with children, publishing online since 2007.
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