Get Yourself Green: Ecology Week

    At my son's school, the week beginning with Earth Day and ending with Arbor Day is celebrated as Ecology Week. I'd like to share some of the activities they are doing that you can all do too!

     On one day they are making an "upcycled" craft: pencil holders out of aluminum cans.  Anyone can do it- just wash out an empty can, have your child draw on a piece of paper (we are using recycled paper, but you can always use the back of a one-sided printed page--that you were putting in the recycling bin anyway, right?), and glue it onto the can. Voila! You can also use felt, cloth, wrapping paper scraps, wallpaper samples, or any material you have.  Alternatively, you could paint the can. Either way, you could always add embellishments if you like, such as sequins, glitter, stickers, feathers, etc.  We know you were going to recycle the can anyway, but now you have a child-made pencil holder!


     On another day they are germinating a seed.  You can use any seed you want, but it's easier for kids to work with a bigger seed such as a green bean seed.  Instead of planting into dirt, if you germinate the seed first you get to watch it sprout! Give your child a seed to place in a folded paper towel (the "select-a-size" half-sheet is big enough and saves paper-bonus points if you use recycled paper towels!). A spray bottle works well to get the paper towel just wet enough-not soaking wet. Place it in a clear plastic bag (such as a zip lock) and keep it away from sunlight for a few days. Check on it daily (and make sure it is still wet-add water if it isn't) and when it sprouts, go ahead and plant it in soil!  End result-a pretty flower or yummy vegetable and a proud child!

     On yet another day they are having a visitor from Crossroads Farm.  If you don't know where it is, it's the farm on Hempstead Avenue and Ocean Avenue in Malverne that used to be Grossman's. Here is a link to their website-https://nassaulandtrust.org/crossroadsfarm . Visiting the farm (or any farm, if this is far away from you) is a great experience for children.  Farmers markets are a great way to get fresh produce.  Learning to grow fruits and vegetables yourself is also a great way to have fresh food and help your kids connect with nature.

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