EARTH DAY Craft project sparks dialogue on resources

Pupils learn about earth-friendly behavior.
By KATHY ANTONIOTTI
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
I have always been pretty smug about what I consider my good recycling habits. I try to be conscientious about separating glass and metal items from the general garbage before it's all hauled to the recycle station each week. Aluminum cans get rounded up and deposited in the collection bin at our local fire department to help raise money for burned children. And every so often, dozens of plastic grocery bags make the trek back to the supermarket to be recycled.
Every now and then, though, even those of us with the best intentions need a reminder.
Luckily for me, I'm fortunate to have a friend who calls my attention to items I use in my craft supply lists that are less than earth-friendly. He reminds me that in order to be environmentally responsible, I should avoid using products that pollute the planet because they don't break down in landfills. Because of him, I've been more careful about the supplies I suggest you use, and I try to substitute biodegradable products when possible.
Planet-friendly materials
First-grade teacher David Beahn didn't realize when he became my anti-pollution conscience that he had unwittingly assumed the responsibility of helping me come up with a craft this year for Earth Day on Thursday. Beahn and some of his 21 closest associates -- 6- and 7-year-old students in his elementary school classroom -- eagerly accepted the challenge.
Communicating by phone and e-mail, we checked out various Internet sites, read books and devised a strategy to help his students realize that even youngsters can have an impact on the environment. Using maps we found at www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/earthday/glue and recycled discs donated by reporters and technicians from the newsroom, it was possible for each student to create an environmentally clean world to accent the importance of Earth Day.
Environmental lesson
It's been a long time since I was in a classroom, so I was wary about returning to grade school to conduct a lesson about cleaning up the environment. Call me crazy, but how was I to accomplish that by handing paint and brushes to a group of little kids?
I shouldn't have worried. Eager but respectful little faces greeted us at the door as soothing classical music played in the background. Their enthusiasm was obvious but well contained as we embarked on our Earth Day journey together.
We started the lesson by discussing the Earth's natural resources. The children quickly pointed out that air and water are two essential resources that every living thing on the planet needs to survive and the most important things we need to protect. We discussed each person's responsibility to practice the "four R's" of earth-friendly behavior -- recycle, reuse, reduce and respect our natural resources. We brainstormed slogans to write on banners to hang above the "worlds" we created. Armed with all this information, we were ready to begin our crafts.