Thank You, Earth

Thank You, Earth lesson plan

Poems and pictures portray your gratitude for Earth's natural resources.

  • 1.

    What natural wonders of Earth make our planet unique? Choose one topic that really interests you, such as water, mountains, or endangered species. Research information on how these natural wonders can be preserved now for the future.

  • 2.

    Outline a scene that reflects the beauty of nature and findings from your research with Crayola® Washable Markers on white construction paper.

  • 3.

    Cover your work area with newspaper. Dip Crayola Colored Drawing Chalk into white Crayola Washable Paint to add color and texture to your scene. Add details with Crayola Washable Watercolors and Watercolor Brushes. The wet paint will create a dewy effect that is perfect for waterfalls and morning meadows when it touches the marker outlines. Dry.

  • 4.

    Add finishing touches to your art with markers.

  • 5.

    On white paper, write a colorful accompanying poem thanking Earth for its natural gifts. Describe the beauty represented in your painting, and convey the urgency for preservation of resources in a convincing way. Display your art and poetry in a public pl

Benefits

  • Students choose and research an ecology topic that is of particular concern to them because of its long-term impact on the Earth's resources.
  • Children depict their findings about our responsibility to preserve the Earth's natural environment by using a combination of art materials.
  • Children write poems thanking the Earth for its gifts and urging steps to be taken to preserve these gifts.

Adaptations

  • Invite natural resource specialists to the classroom, or visit local environments, to study issues in your community first-hand. Survey people in the community to assess their understanding of local ecology.
  • Create a bucolic scene with a grandparent or other older person who remembers open fields, bountiful orchards, or immense green forests. Discuss how and why the area looks different today.
  • Take part in Earth Day, Arbor Day, Johnny Appleseed Day, or other local events designed to call public attention to the Earth's natural resources.
  • Younger students and those with special needs may benefit from short practice sessions experimenting with paint and chalk techniques before creating final artwork. Provide assistance writing poetry or work together to memorize a short nature poem to display with artwork.