Air, water and land pollution, global warming, deforestation, rampant soil erosion, floods, oil spills, destruction of marine life – name it, Mother Earth is suffering from it. The current condition of our environment is more than just devastating. Many of our activities have caused harm to the Earth and we continue doing those over and over again.

These and other pressing environmental issues are drawing more attention. A few people’s initiative, however, will not alleviate the plight of Mother Earth. What she needs is a collective action from its people.

Do not just sit there and watch environmentalists save the Earth. There are simple and practical ways you can do to help save our planet. So, act now and make yourself a redeemer of Mother Earth.

Environmental Initiatives in the Classroom

The more people act to save our planet, the better. And where to get more stewards of the Earth but in the classroom itself! Educators are great influencers to their students. So while you are taking care of Mother Earth, why not encourage your students to do the same? Here are some activities, prepared by Scholastic, which you can incorporate in your curriculum to help your students understand environmental issues better.

1. Teach your students how to act green.
2. Engage your students in environment-related discussions online and offline.
3. Encourage your students to become more responsible and well-informed.
4. Learn what other schools are doing to save the Earth and incorporate them in your own classroom.
5. Integrate online tools and lesson plans to create a real-world experience of saving the Earth for your students.

For more information and resources about these activities, check the following websites:

• www.scholastic.com/actgreen
• www.scholastic.com/reportcard
• www.scholastic.com/downtoearth
• http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/index.htm
• www.scholastic.com/lexus

How can students make a difference?

Here are some easy and practical ways even kids can do to help save Mother Earth.

1. Apply and do the 3Rs – Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.
2. Plant a tree.
3. Segregate your garbage – biodegradable from non-biodegradable, plastics from papers, and bottles from cans.
4. Compost your biodegradable garbage.
5. Use less plastic.
6. Walk or ride your bike to school.
7. Conserve water. Use a glass when brushing your teeth.
8. Conserve electricity. Turn off the lights and other appliances when not in use.

Sources:

“21 Practical Ways to Help the Environment.” Retrieved on April 13, 2011 from http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/21-practical-ways-to-help-the-environment

“Exciting Environmental Initiatives for Today’s Classroom.” Retrieved on April 13, 2011 from http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748173&FullBreadCrumb=%3Ca+href%3D%22%2Fbrowse%2Fsearch.jsp%3Fquery%3Dexciting+environmental+initiatives%26c1%3DCONTENT30%26c17%3D7%26c2%3Dfalse%22%3EAll+Results+%3C%2Fa%3E

“Ten Ways a Young Person Can Help the Environment Today.” Retrieved on April 13, 2011 from http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Ways-A-Young-Person-Can-Help-The-Environment-Today