Saving Planet Earth, one project at a time
When people think about kindergarteners, they probably think of coloring, napping, snacking and the ABCs. They probably don’t think about saving the world.
But in their own way, that’s exactly what kindergarteners at West Elementary School in Russellville are trying to do.
“We want them to learn to think about other people and animals and to learn about taking care of others,” explained kindergarten teacher Karen Mitchell. That’s why Mitchell’s, Jennifer Cox’s and Brittany Sykes’ classes recently took on the challenge to “adopt” an endangered animal through the World Wildlife Fund.
Sykes said her class was ecstatic about the idea. “Adopting” an animal requires a $55 donation, which they raised by having a quarter drive.
“They were so pumped up about it, they raised their money in two days,” Sykes said. “They had family members that wanted to take part, and they donated … This helps them with a sense of achievement and pride because they’re doing something really big.”
Each class voted on which animal they wanted to adopt. Sykes’ class chose the black jaguar. With their fundraising completed, the stuffed animal version of their animal is on its way. Cox’s class has selected the fennec fox, and they began raising funds last week. Mitchell’s class’ chosen animal, the bald eagle, has already arrived.
“We had just finished learning about ‘Symbols of the U.S.A.’ the week before,” Mitchell explained, which led her class to choose the national emblem as their adoptee. “It comes with a little information card that tells about your animal and a photograph of a real one.”
All kindergarten classes are also now involved in a free program sponsored by Cheerios, the #BringBacktheBees campaign. Each class signed up to receive packets of wildflower seeds to plant.
With reports of declining honey bee populations in the U.S. comes a threat to the entire food supply. Pesticides, habitat loss and other factors are reportedly to blame. Cheerios’ campaign gave away 1.5 billion wildflower seeds to attract honeybees and other pollinators, according to cheerios.com.
Cox discovered the program, finding a link for it on social media, and suggested it to her fellow teachers. She said it took just a few seconds to sign up, and the fact that it was free was a particular draw.
The project will allow the kindergarten teachers to explore many different aspects of growing and plant life, in addition to the importance of honeybees. Some of the seeds will be planted on the school grounds, while some teachers, like Cox, might choose to send some of the seed packets home with students.
The seed packets, a product of Veseys Seeds, include Baby Blue Eyes, Bergamot, Blue Flax, California Poppy, China Aster, Chinese Forget Me Not, Corn Poppy, Fleabane Daisy, Globe Gilia, Indian Blanket, Lance Leafed Coreopsis, Lavender Hyssop, New England Asters, Plains Coreopsis, Purple Cone Flower, Siberian Wallflower and Sweet Alyssum, including annuals, biennials and perennials that produce flowers throughout the entire growing season in a wide range of colors, Veseys has said.
Cox said both initiatives will also tie in with Earth Day observances at the end of April. She wants to share the message with her students, “There’s only one Earth, and these animals are all endangered because we haven’t taken care of things,” Cox said. “Kids love animals, so what better way to get them involved?”
