Three Science Lessons for Your 3rd-5th Graders This Earth Day

Want some fun Earth Day classroom projects, but aren't sure where to start? Help you 3^rd-5^th grade students learn the importance of caring for our planet this Earth Day with these three cool science lessons.

Lesson one: Find the Non-Recyclables

Bring in a few recyclable items such as batteries, a piece of concrete, paper, a glass bottle, clothing, a computer, aluminum cans and any of the other things listed here. Then have each student come up and pick which cannot be recycled. Make this a trick question, however, and have everything be something that can be recycled and then explain how these items can be reused. A few of the items will likely surprise your students.

Lesson two: Track How the Earth Helps You All Day

Have your students keep a log for all of Earth Day or longer if you wish. Have them write how they utilized natural resources in their morning routine, while at school in the morning, at lunch and recess time, at school in the afternoon, on their way home and after school, in the evening and while they sleep. They can get very creative with this lesson by considering photosynthesis, weather, the origins of electricity, the water cycle, and so much more.

If you want a different spin lesson, you can have them keep track of how much they use unnecessarily for a week and try to work toward wasting less by the conclusion of the project.

Lesson three: Plant a Seed

Seeds can be obtained cheaply at most stores, so have each student pick up a pack of their choice and bring them into school. Have some potting soil and compostable coffee cups ready (avoid Styrofoam because it's made from petroleum products and bad for the environment), and set them to work planting their seeds. Ask each student to share what plant they are growing, explain why they chose it and estimate the amount of time it will take to grow. Let them take care of their plants at school until they outgrow the cups. This teaches basic horticultural lessons and will be an enjoyable experience.

When they are finished, they can bring their plants home to their gardens, give them as gifts, or plant them as part of the school's community garden if your school has one.

Our planet is vibrant and fun. There is no reason to learn about it in a dull manner. By engaging in hands on science projects like the ones listed here, the lesson will stick with the children for years to come. They will see their impact on our planet and the planet's impact on our lives. These lessons will help them learn their responsibility to the earth, and that's the best thing they could get out of Earth Day.