Kindergarteners Become Stewards of the Earth

Our kindergarten "snow" seeds

The spring time is a fascinating time for kindergartners as they truly take notice of all of the growth and beauty in the outside world. Flowers are blooming, leaves are unfurling, insects re-appear, and our students are right there immersed in all the changes that surround them. Screams of "Look at this!" or "I found a worm!" are daily utterances and each day the excitement is as big as the day before!

One day in early spring, a kindergartner in our class exclaimed it was snowing! All the children gathered together and noticed soft fluttering seeds floating through the air. It was snowing seeds! The seeds quickly became a desired collection and the "catching" of flying seeds began. The class gathered a bucket full and an interest in seeds emerged. Our kindergarten class began to collect other seeds and discussions began about the seeds they wanted to plant in class.

Planting flower and vegetable seeds

 Our kindergarten class decided on a combination of vegetable and flower seeds including pumpkins, sunflowers, beans, carrots and petunias. New vocabulary was learned as we talked about seed "coats," roots, stems and soil. An emergent study of the growing earth outside had begun to form!

Look how the seeds have grown

Spring and Earth Day is also the perfect time to share Dr. Seuss' The Lorax as it connects to the Earth and how we can care for it. The children were very concerned about the trees, flowers and animals and how just a few polluted the water and air, and cut down all of the trees. The kindergartners were excited to think about how they could help the Lorax and were eager to come up with plans to change what they saw happening in the book and what they sometimes see outside in our world!

Helping the Lorax kid writing drawing

 Using creative ideas, fine motor skills to draw and print letters, and strengthening letter and sound connections, the students shared how they would help the Lorax:

• We could plant seeds
• Pick up trash
• Use both sides of the paper
• Don't waste water
• We could plant more trees
• We could care for all the creatures on Earth
• We could learn more about the Earth and tell others about how important it is
• Teach others about stewardship because everyone can help

Another way to help the Lorax is to care for the Earth's creatures

Building upon the current deep interest in seeds, dirt, trees and insects, the kindergarten classes have looked more closely at the Quaker testimony of stewardship. As we learn more, more questions naturally arise:

What does stewardship mean? How can we be stewards? How can we get others to help?