Earth Day was yesterday, April 22nd. My students did not just spend one day learning about taking care of our planet since this is an important, daily task. My students and I have embarked on a week-long study of how to take care of the earth. Even though my students are so young, they have a decent understanding of the problems in our world and ways they can help make a difference for the future. They have become so excited through reading books, watching video clips, and researching the subject. More than anything, my students have been excited to share the ways in which they are making a difference. Some are picking up trash while others are recycling. They are empowered by the choices they are making and excited to begin doing new things to help keep the earth clean.
As my students have been reflecting on their practices, I began to think more about what I do in my classroom to make a difference. The other day our principal shared with us that our school goes through more paper each year than any other school in our district. As my students were reflecting on ways to save paper, I thought about my own paper consumption. Everyday, I had been running off 21 sheets of paper for morning work. That's 105 pages each week. Everyday, my students have literacy centers in which they practice a skill on yet another piece of paper. Over the past few months, I have made changes to decrease the amount of paper I use in my classroom. During centers, I put my practice pages in wipe off pockets. I found mine at the Target Dollar Spot before school began, but you can also get them at Lakeshore. I also have students practicing skills on iPads and netbooks rather than using dittos. In the morning, my students are either reading or using an iPad or netbook instead of running off 105 copies of morning work.
The biggest changes for me have come from finding ways to incorporate more technology into my day. So many skills that need to be practiced can be done with the help of a tool like an iPad or netbook. Not only does this save paper, but students are more motivated to complete the assignments, as well. We are lucky to have an elementary technology integration teacher in our district that uploads many useful apps onto our iPads and suggests sites to make shortcuts to on the netbooks. I have also found other sites and apps through searching blogs and twitter for suggestions. Websites, such as iPad Apps for Schools, allow teachers to search for apps based on grade level or topic. A simple Google search will also provide a wealth of resources.
Earth Day should not just be one day a year. Earth Day should be every day. We should be thinking about our impact on the Earth as educators and how we can decrease our footprint. Although many schools are going paperless to save money, this benefits our world, as well. Before heading to the copier to produce stacks of paper, I am going to think more deeply about other ways I could have students show their learning or practice a skill. Let's use technology to help save our world.
As my students have been reflecting on their practices, I began to think more about what I do in my classroom to make a difference. The other day our principal shared with us that our school goes through more paper each year than any other school in our district. As my students were reflecting on ways to save paper, I thought about my own paper consumption. Everyday, I had been running off 21 sheets of paper for morning work. That's 105 pages each week. Everyday, my students have literacy centers in which they practice a skill on yet another piece of paper. Over the past few months, I have made changes to decrease the amount of paper I use in my classroom. During centers, I put my practice pages in wipe off pockets. I found mine at the Target Dollar Spot before school began, but you can also get them at Lakeshore. I also have students practicing skills on iPads and netbooks rather than using dittos. In the morning, my students are either reading or using an iPad or netbook instead of running off 105 copies of morning work.
The biggest changes for me have come from finding ways to incorporate more technology into my day. So many skills that need to be practiced can be done with the help of a tool like an iPad or netbook. Not only does this save paper, but students are more motivated to complete the assignments, as well. We are lucky to have an elementary technology integration teacher in our district that uploads many useful apps onto our iPads and suggests sites to make shortcuts to on the netbooks. I have also found other sites and apps through searching blogs and twitter for suggestions. Websites, such as iPad Apps for Schools, allow teachers to search for apps based on grade level or topic. A simple Google search will also provide a wealth of resources.
Earth Day should not just be one day a year. Earth Day should be every day. We should be thinking about our impact on the Earth as educators and how we can decrease our footprint. Although many schools are going paperless to save money, this benefits our world, as well. Before heading to the copier to produce stacks of paper, I am going to think more deeply about other ways I could have students show their learning or practice a skill. Let's use technology to help save our world.
Image Source:
Heart Shaped Drawings - ClipArt Best. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2014, from http://www.clipartbest.com/heart-shaped-drawings
Heart Shaped Drawings - ClipArt Best. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2014, from http://www.clipartbest.com/heart-shaped-drawings