In this 30-minute video, students will see a demonstration of how to make plantable seed paper out of shredded junk-mail paper.
Students will learn about the history of Earth Day and why recycling is important for the environment.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Students could do this activity in class or in a virtual learning setting.
This is a great activity for Earth Day.
Additional Prerequisites
Teachers will need to preview the video to determine which portions to show.
The activity instructions begin around 3:05 and end around 19:50.
Differentiation
Teachers could create a Google Form quiz or paper-based quiz to assess understanding and maintain engagement.
Students could work on this activity in small groups or pairs.
Art classes could use different colored seed paper to make collage artwork for Earth Day and then plant their collages in pots for Mother's Day.
English language arts classes could use the seed paper in a letter-writing lesson.
Other resources on this topic include this video about the history of Earth Day, this ClimateScience lesson plan on making plantable paper, and this animated video that introduces students to climate change.
Scientist Notes
There is no misconception in this practical video. This resource is recommended.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
K-ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
4-ESS3-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans.
National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Standard 1 - Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr1.2.Ka Engage collaboratively in creative art-making in response to an artistic problem.
