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April Project Ideas
Project Ideas for the Month of... April
April is National Poetry Month. Here are some projects to serve others and also learn about poetry.
1. Poetry Exchange for Those Who Have Served Visit nursing homes and/or veterans hospitals and perform favorite poems. Ask those who have served our nation to share their favorite poems about patriotism and citizenship.
2. Rhyme TimeTeaching Write poems using a series of templates. Schedule time with younger students to recite creations. Show how templates help budding poets.
3. Poets of Society Contest Organize a poetry poster contest.
4. Together In Diversity Arrange a library display or bulletin board featuring picture books by a multicultural array of poets. Invite visitors to illustrate a poem or write a message to a beloved author.
More Poetry Web Sites
April is also the month of National Youth Service Day. On April 15 - 17, millions of young people throughout the nation will "mobilize to identify and address the needs of their communities through service." Visit the National Youth Service Day website for more information. Let your students choose a project to complete during this month.
More National Youth Service Day Web Sites.
Celebrate Earth Day during the month of April...
5. Educate the Neighborhood Host an Earth Day Learning Festival. Share environmental exhibits, activities, and games with younger peers, parents, and community leaders.
6. Focus on Environmental Health Conduct a survey on health symptoms and concerns. Follow up with a Community Environmental Health Fair.
7. Test the Water Join the Earth Day Network "Water for Life" Campaign and Wise up to Water.
8. Test the Water Join the Earth Day Network "Water for Life" Campaign and Wise up to Water.
9. Feed the Birds Turn a discarded soda bottle into a birdfeeder. Present it to a local nursing home.
10. Think Globally Act Locally Apply recycling guidelines to a venture capitalist model. Recycle with EPA ~Entrepreneurial Paper Activities.
11. Take it to Court Research a controversial environmental issue. Present both sides in a mock trial to other classes.
12. Grow Gardens Plant a Community Garden, a Healing Garden, a school Rooftop Garden, or see how a GardenWorks.
13. Praise the Planet Publish a newsletter devoted to articles, poems, editorials, and letters about the environment. Make Public Service Announcements and perform Earth Day skits for the school community.
More Earth Day Every Day Web Sites.
In 1872, J. Sterling Morton urged settlers in the Prairie State of Nebraska to plant trees for shade, shelter, fruit, fuel, and beauty. Ten years later, schools nationwide celebrated Arbor Day on the fourth Friday in April. Now, students from every state set aside a spring day to praise, plant, and pay tribute to trees. Here are some ideas where young people can learn about trees while serving community.
14. State Dates Research when your state observes Arbor Day. Arrange with local officials to plant a state tree honoring veterans.
15. Tree Time Line Log on to the National Arbor Day Foundation's Majestic Trees Time Line. Investigate history of area trees. Make local tree time line for the library.
16. Tree Trail Identify and map trees surrounding school. Name them and include tree locations and characteristics on laminated maps. Post in sheltered areas near school entrances.
17. Tree-rific Hold a school wide Arbor Day Poster Contest. Send selected entries to National Arbor Day poster contest.
18. Poem as Lovely as a… Read and write poems about trees. Share them at a PoeTree Reading for seniors.
19. Tree Savers Organize schoolwide recycling campaign. Supplement with EPA ~ Environmental Paper Activities.
20. Native Roots Research and collect native plants. Collect their seeds. Grow them in class. Transplant when ready.
21. Green Partners Join local organizations that welcome youth. Work together on community plantings, streambed rehabilitation, clean-up campaigns.
22. Tree City Find out how your community can become a Tree City. Order a Free Tree City USA Booklet.
23. Arboreal Play Write and produce a play about J. Sterling Morton and Arbor Day. Invite younger children to performance.