As the leaves turns from green to gold to crimson, and we pull out our sweaters to embrace the crisp fall air, we might not take notice of all the ways the world outside our window is also preparing for the cold months ahead. There are very obvious changes many of us do see, like leaves falling from trees or birds flying in formation overhead on their journey south, but what do you think you might see if you looked even closer?
A great way to really take notice of the season in transition is to select one square foot of nature to observe. Mark your little plot with a few sticks in the ground and string if you would like. Seek out the plant or animal life living within this world, and track the changes you notice over several weeks or months as fall turns into winter.
Somethings to keep your eye out for:
What colors did you observe when you first looked at your tiny realm, and how did they change?
What creatures did you find living there? Have any left or any come in?
If there are any plants in your plot, how are they changing?
What is the temperature of the ground when you started and when you finished your observation?
Bonus: Draw or take a few pictures of your little plot to document its transformation.
With the heat of the summer fully upon us, those of us lucky enough to have a garden or live near a farmer’s market are reaping the rewards of the summer harvest. Making snacks from fruit and veggies fresh from the garden is a great way to teach kids about where their food comes from…and may also be just the trick to get picky eaters to try new foods! Bring your kids along to the farmer’s market or the garden and discuss how vegetables and fruit are grown as you make your selection.
Try out these fresh from the garden recipes that your kids will not be able to resist!
Mini Pizzas
1 Tomato chopped
Several leaves of basil chopped
1 Tbsp Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Mozzarella or parmesan cheese
Several slices of toasted bread
Combine chopped tomatoes, basil and olive oil in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Place one spoonful of mixture on each slice of toast. Top with cheese and bake in the oven at 350 degrees until cheese is bubbly.
Tip: Add any additional veggies as toppings to make your pizza even more nutritous!
Smoothies
Making smoothies is a great way of using up those items in your fridge that are in what I call the “use it or loose it” category. Creative combinations of fruit (frozen or fresh), juices, veggies, yogurt, milk, grains such as oat bran or wheat germ, sugar or honey, nuts and even peanut butter can make delicious blends of smoothies. If getting your child to eat vegetables is like negotiating peace in the middle east, try sneaking in some carrot or celery and chances are they will drink it up without batting an eye.
When Aitan Grossman, a 7th grader from California, first read the kid’s version of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, he felt compelled to do his part to help solve global warming. His love of music inspired him to compose the song “100 Generations” with the hope that it would be sung by children all over the world. And so far children in Africa, Asia, Europe and North and South America have joined in the chorus.
Aitan’s goal of promoting his song is twofold. First, to spread the word about global warming. “I hope the message of the song makes people pay attention and will speak for itself.” Says Aitan. And secondly, to generate money from sales on iTunes to donate to his favorite environmental organizations the World Wildlife Fund and the Alliance for Climate protection.
You can download the song, ”100 Generations”, on iTunes, then visit Aitan’s website, www.kidearth.us, to get the lyrics, as well as choruses in 4 different languages!
I hate to break it to you, but it’s about that time of year. Time to put away the golf clubs and bbq and break out the # 2 pencils. While you are preparing this year’s curriculum you might want to consider what a big influence you can be in getting kids to think green. Planet Green has a comprehensive guide to going green at school that can help you accomplish small tasks that make a big impact. Check out their Top Green Teacher Tips for ideas on greening your classroom. For inspiration in implementing green into your curriculum, take a look at their 15 Projects for Green School Teachers.
Did you know that last week was Arbor Day? On Arbor Day, people all around the country plant trees in their communities. If you haven’t planted a tree, it’s not too late! Trees do many wonderful things for the planet, like filtering carbon dioxide from the air and giving us oxygen to breath. When planted near a house, trees provide shade that cools the home in the summer, helping to save energy. Planting trees native to your area is a good idea. They require little maintenance and provide homes and food for the creatures in their ecosystem. To learn more about how you can get started planting trees visit the Arbor Day Foundation.
At long last, Spring has sprung! How do we know that spring is here for good? Yes, the weather may feel warmer, but as we all know, good weather is no sure bet in March. We know that spring is here at the first sight of buds poking through the ground and from the branches of trees.
Fun Springtime Activity:
Find a bud that has just begun to grow. Tie a colorful string loosely below it so that you can be sure to find it again.
Every day draw a picture or take a photography of your little bud. If you can, draw or photograph the bud so it is the same size in each picture.
Once the bud has fully bloomed, stack all your drawings or photographs together. Flip through your stack and watch your little buddy grow all over again!
Do you have any ideas you would like to share with our readers? Would you like to inspire us, like Lilly Tougas did, with your own going green stories? Click here to share!
Lilly Tougas, a young girl from Florida, has done extraordinary things to educate her community about going green. She is a great example of how one small person can make a big impact. Last year Lilly was invited to travel to China during the Beijing olympics to paint a mural with the artist Wyland and with children from all around the world. The goal of the mural was to raise awareness about taking care of our oceans. I was lucky enough to get an interview with Lilly to ask her about her quest to go green.
How old were you when you learned about what it means to “go green?”
When I was 3 at my Montessori school, I would sing a song ”the Earth is our Mother, we must take care of her” and I took it very seriously. When I was 6, my Mom and I read a book called “Hold Your Water” by Wyland and Steve Creech. At the end, I took a pledge, like a check off list of things and learned a lot about what to do.
How did it make you feel to find out that people were hurting the planet through our everyday actions?
It hurt me really deep.
What was one of the first ideas you had to go green?
Well, at first, it was just turning off lights and water when brushing my teeth, then I would leave messages on the answering machine telling people about doing that.
What are a few things that you do to save the planet everyday?
Turn off lights,T.V., and water, recycle and take my friends trash home with me to make sure that it gets recycled. I also tell people every day how important it is to do these things. We are Mother Natures eyes and when we see what is wrong we need to help.
Is there something you wish you could do to help the earth, but don’t know how?
Yes, I was hoping to get the use of plastic bags banned in my town, I wrote a letter and nothing happened, I feel sad when I see them as trash all around town, and I feel really really sad when I see a picture of a Sea Turtle who tried to eat one.
Which of your going green projects are you most proud of?
Hand’s across the Ocean in China, my idea of having a Lemonade stand to purchase reusable grocery bags to hand out to people who need them, bringing recycling bins to school, writing a note to Congress with pictures of plastic bags stuck in trees and in pastures with cows. I guess I am most proud of all of them and it is a long list.
What was it like to travel to China for “Hands Across The Ocean” at the Olympics?
It was amazing to join hands with other kids around the world and pledge to care for the worlds oceans together. Not to mention painting with Wyland, he is such an inspiration, I hope we do something at the Olympics in Canada.
Lilly working a booth for Earth Rehab to raise money for the Wyland Foundation
The toys at your friend’s house always seem so much cooler, don’t they? That’s probably because they’re new to you. Half the excitement of getting new stuff is simply the thrill of having something different to play with or read. That thrill tends to quickly wear off, and soon your favorite new toy will end up in a pile in the closet or under the bed. One great way to get new toys and books and keep your mom from screaming “CLEAN UP THIS ROOM!” is to have a toy and book swap. This is an easy activity you can organize with your friends, neighbors or classroom. Gather toys, books, and even clothes that you no longer want but that are in good shape and ask your friends to do the same. To make the swaping fair, give everyone a number to determine the picking order. Number one chooses first for the first round of picking. Then the order reverses for the following round. By having a swap, not only do you get to bring home all new stuff, (well, new to you at least!) you’ll also help prevent pollution and save the energy and resources that are used to make toys.
A wise frog once said “it’s not easy being green”, but here at the Little Green Blog, we’re about to prove him wrong! Being green simply means that your way of life does not harm the planet or the wildlife with which we share it. There are many things that you can do in your small corner of the globe that can contribute to a greener world, from saving energy at home to protecting natural habitats in your community. Here are some important ways you can make a difference, and some tips for getting started today! …Read the rest of this post
A wise frog once said “it’s not easy being green”, but here at the Little Green Blog, we’re about to prove him wrong! Being green simply means that your way of life does not harm the planet or the wildlife with which we share it. There are many things that you can do in your small corner of the globe that can contribute to a greener world, from saving energy at home to protecting natural habitats in your community. Here are some important ways you can make a difference, and some tips for getting started today! 
