Activity Overview
There are many ways that people can celebrate Earth Day. Some people might take a little time to enjoy the outdoors, and some people will make a conscious effort to conserve energy or clean up litter. However we celebrate Earth Day, it is important to remember the health and beauty of our planet.
Have students brainstorm ideas about how to celebrate Earth Day. For younger students, brainstorm in groups or as a class, but older students can likely come up with several ideas on their own. On a spider map, students will depict different scenarios or actions that shows positive ways to celebrate Earth Day. The most important part of this activity is to get students thinking about the importance behind Earth Day and what they can do!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
- Brainstorm ideas about how to celebrate Earth Day.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add images in each cell that depict different scenarios and actions, showing positive ways to celebrate Earth Day.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visualizations | Images show creativity and care. | Scenes, characters, and items are appropriate for this purpose. | Images are confusing or do not make sense for this purpose. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
There are many ways that people can celebrate Earth Day. Some people might take a little time to enjoy the outdoors, and some people will make a conscious effort to conserve energy or clean up litter. However we celebrate Earth Day, it is important to remember the health and beauty of our planet.
Have students brainstorm ideas about how to celebrate Earth Day. For younger students, brainstorm in groups or as a class, but older students can likely come up with several ideas on their own. On a spider map, students will depict different scenarios or actions that shows positive ways to celebrate Earth Day. The most important part of this activity is to get students thinking about the importance behind Earth Day and what they can do!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
- Brainstorm ideas about how to celebrate Earth Day.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add images in each cell that depict different scenarios and actions, showing positive ways to celebrate Earth Day.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visualizations | Images show creativity and care. | Scenes, characters, and items are appropriate for this purpose. | Images are confusing or do not make sense for this purpose. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Celebrate Earth Day
Incorporate Earth Day Pledges into Your Classroom Routine
Invite students to create a personal or class Earth Day pledge, committing to one positive action for the planet. Display these pledges in your classroom as a daily reminder of their commitment. This helps build accountability and keeps Earth Day goals visible all year.
Guide students to brainstorm meaningful, age-appropriate pledges
Encourage students to think of simple, realistic ways they can help the environment, such as recycling paper or turning off lights when leaving a room. Brainstorming together supports students in choosing achievable actions they care about.
Provide materials for students to create their pledges
Distribute colorful paper, markers, and craft supplies for students to write and decorate their pledges. Creativity makes the activity fun and personal, increasing student engagement.
Display pledges prominently in your classroom
Hang the pledges on a bulletin board or wall where everyone can see them daily. Visibility reinforces the importance of their commitments and reminds students to act on their promises.
Review and celebrate student progress regularly
Schedule weekly or monthly check-ins to discuss how students are following through on their pledges. Recognize effort and improvement to motivate students and celebrate their positive impact on the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Celebrate Earth Day
What are some easy ways for students to celebrate Earth Day?
Easy ways for students to celebrate Earth Day include picking up litter, planting trees or flowers, recycling, conserving water and electricity, and simply spending time outdoors appreciating nature.
How can I teach the importance of Earth Day to elementary students?
Use engaging activities like brainstorming, class discussions, and visual projects such as spider maps to help students understand the significance of Earth Day and how their actions impact the environment.
What is an Earth Day spider map activity?
An Earth Day spider map is a graphic organizer where students illustrate and label various actions or scenarios that show positive ways to celebrate and care for the planet.
What are some group activities for Earth Day in grades 4-5?
Great group activities for grades 4-5 include brainstorming celebration ideas, creating posters or spider maps, organizing a classroom clean-up, or collaborating on an Earth Day pledge.
Why is it important for students to celebrate Earth Day?
Celebrating Earth Day helps students develop respect for the planet, learn about environmental responsibility, and encourages lifelong habits that protect the Earth.
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