Earth Day activities upper elementary classrooms can use should be simple and meaningful. These four ideas help you teach reading and writing while building awareness about caring for the Earth.
April is a busy time in the classroom.
At least for me, it usually falls right in the middle of test prep. Because of that, I am always careful with what I add to my plans. I do not want to interrupt what we are already doing, but I still want to acknowledge Earth Day in a meaningful way.
The Earth Day activities I am sharing here are meant to fit into your existing block. I treat this as a mini lesson that usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Some years, I split it into two days. It really depends on the pace of my class and what else is going on at school. I also keep in mind any Earth Day events or activities that the school already has planned.
These earth day activities upper elementary are designed to fit into your schedule without taking away from your test prep time.
Start With a Wordless Book to Build Understanding
One of my favorite ways to introduce Earth Day is by reading One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey by Henry Cole.
Since this is a wordless book, it naturally pushes students to think and talk more.
This is a wordless book, which makes it perfect for:
- retelling
- sequencing
- discussion
If you have never used a wordless book before, this is a great place to start.
A reading strategy I like to use here is See, Think, Wonder.
- See: What do you notice in the picture?
- Think: What do you think is happening?
- Wonder: What questions do you have?
This strategy helps students slow down and really process what they are seeing. It also encourages discussion, which is important before moving into writing.
This could easily be its own lesson, especially if your students are not used to working with wordless texts.
From there, we start talking about how the story connects to taking care of the Earth.
This is one of my favorite earth day activities upper elementary because it builds both comprehension and discussion without needing a long lesson.
Turn Ideas Into a Visual Anchor Chart
After reading, we move into brainstorming.
We talk about ways we can help take care of the Earth, and I introduce the idea of “healing the Earth.”
Students write their ideas on bandage templates and we add them to an anchor chart.
The templates I use are part of this resource: Earth Day Writing Prompt
You can also easily recreate this using butcher paper or anchor chart paper by drawing a large Earth.
Students write their ideas on ” bandage templates” and we add them to an anchor chart.
This is a simple activity, but it helps students connect their ideas visually.
Use Writing to Build Awareness
This is where I bring in writing.
Students take the ideas from our discussion and use a graphic organizer to explain their thinking.
For most of my students, this is an independent activity. I use it as a supplement to my writing block, not something separate.
This writing prompt is usually completed within one day in my classroom.
The discussion and the book give them enough background to respond. However, for students who get stuck, I sometimes add a short video to build more background and spark ideas.
That part is important. Without discussion and background knowledge, the writing can feel overwhelming.
This is a great opportunity to:
- practice structured writing
- use evidence from the book
- connect ideas
Writing is already part of your block, so this fits in naturally.
Writing-based earth day activities upper elementary like this one help students connect their ideas while still practicing key writing skills.
Alternative Option: Earth Day Acrostic Poem
If time is limited, I sometimes switch this out for an Earth Day acrostic poem.
I alternate between the writing response and the acrostic depending on the time I have.
I take the same approach:
- discussion first
- then writing
In my resource, I include a word bank, but I usually only provide it to students who need extra support.
This is a great alternative to traditional earth day activities upper elementary, especially when you need something quicker but still meaningful.
End With a Hands On Planting Project
This last activity depends on time.
Some years I do it, and some years I do not.
When I do, I usually have parents donate:
- brown paper bags
- potting soil
- seeds
This activity pairs really well with the book, but it is also a common Earth Day activity on its own.
I usually keep the plants outside the classroom until they begin to sprout.
Beans are the easiest and cheapest option.
This year, I tried something different and partnered with a local nursery to plant native Florida plants.
That ended up being a really nice connection because students were not only planting something, but also learning to recognize native plants.
A Simple Way to Bring Earth Day Into Your Classroom
If you’re looking for simple earth day activities upper elementary that still align with your standards, these ideas are easy to implement and effective. This can easily be turned into a mini lesson.
You can:
- complete it in one day
- or split it into two parts
I have found that breaking it into two days makes it more manageable, especially during test prep season.
It does require some prep, but students really enjoy it. It also gives them a meaningful break from test prep while still keeping learning going.
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FAQ
What are simple Earth Day activities for upper elementary?
Activities that connect reading, discussion, and writing work best. Wordless books and writing prompts are easy to fit into your day.
How do you fit Earth Day into test prep season?
Keep it short and focused. Use it as a mini lesson that connects to your reading or writing block.
What is an easy Earth Day writing activity?
A short writing response or an Earth Day acrostic poem are both simple options that students can complete in one class period.
Do you need materials for Earth Day activities?
Not always. Most activities can be done with paper and discussion. Hands-on projects like planting are optional.
More Spring Ideas for Upper Elementary
These earth day activities upper elementary give you a simple way to celebrate Earth Day without losing instructional time. Here are a few more spring activities you can try in your classroom.
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