How Can Teachers Teach Environmental Awareness in Fun and Creative Ways? Posted on 28 April 2021 by Amber Gravenell in General Environmental awareness is growing. With young eco-warriors, such as Greta Thunberg, inspiring even the youngest of generations to take responsibility for the planet, it is crucial for the National Curriculum to make room for environmental awareness. For the majority of schools responsible waste disposal is an intrinsic part of the classroom with clearly labelled bins within each classroom to help children understand which materials can be recycled. Environmental awareness is also evident in parts of the Science curriculum and PSHE lessons. But, is this enough? Should environmental awareness take more of a prominent role? The issue facing school staff is how to regularly fit in lessons dedicated to saving our planet and the ways in which we can all play our part to protect it. With a curriculum fit to burst with various learning goals and key topics it can prove a challenge to dedicate a decent amount of time to other social issues, such as protecting the environment. Many schools have themed weeks or days once a term which presents the perfect opportunity to focus on Planet Earth and how we can help save it. Use these weeks to share key documentaries, current petitions, and the missions of various environmental parties, such as Greenpeace. As mentioned previously, environmental responsibility is an integral part of the day-to-day life within most schools. It is important to make environmental responsibility a normal part of the everyday functioning of the classroom. Ways to do this include designated classroom monitors who ensure items are being disposed of correctly, an Eco-Warrior society, ensuring children have reusable bottles for water as opposed to bringing in shop brought bottled water and throwing the bottles away and initiatives such as no sandwich bags. The 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – are a fantastic focus point for schools. The 3R’s are easy to remember and are simple to introduce to the classroom. A brilliant way to incorporate this into the curriculum is via art lessons. The list of projects you can complete using unwanted items, such as milk bottles, is endless. If you are searching for inspiration for environmentally conscious art-lessons then look no further. We have collated a list of various arts and crafts activities with links dedicated to reusing unwanted items which would ordinarily end up in the bin!Milk Bottle Elephants: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/586382813981123137/ Plastic Bottle Bird Feeders: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/173318285651376168/ Tin Can Stationary Storage: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/400116748150844838/Toilet Roll Creatures: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/64598575895362853/Windchimes: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/214554369736293749/Egg Carton Animals: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/13721973852708485/DIY Lanterns: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/68741923960/If you are feeling inspired to increase your contribution to saving the planet or simply want to know more about what we can be doing to reduce our waste consumption, head over to our blog post Contain Yourself: Kent Refill Store Paving the Way for a Less Wasteful Life by guest blogger Elly Obeney in which she describes why she set up her refill business and how we can be reducing our plastic usage.