The Problem
Our wish for the first grade Earth Day project was to help our school community understand the importance of reducing waste in the environment, and improving the planet for everyone by picking up trash.
Our wish for the first grade Earth Day project was to help our school community understand the importance of reducing waste in the environment, and improving the planet for everyone by picking up trash.
The first grade theme in social studies class this year is “community”. In the beginning of the year, we studied the Agnes Irwin community by taking a walking tour of the campus. We visited the Upper School and the areas where students study, hang out and eat. The first grade students were appalled by the trash and the various possessions the older students left behind. There were pens, hair ties, plastic wrappers, soda cans, and much more. Every first grader picked up at least two items of trash. When we went looking for a trashcan or recycling bins, we were surprised we could not find any. The students were eager to think of solutions to reduce trash at our school. We read The Earth Book, by Todd Parr, to help us understand what we could do to improve our school and preserve the planet for everyone. We also watch videos on the importance of recycling and caring for the environment.