St. James Celebrates Earth Day
Earth Day Week Highlights: Student Projects and Classroom Activities
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, students across all grade levels engaged in hands-on learning experiences focused on environmental stewardship, sustainability, and community responsibility.
Preschool
Preschool students from both of our classrooms collected recyclable materials from home and brought them to school. They used these materials to create sculptures and artwork, exploring how everyday items can be repurposed in creative ways.
Junior Kindergarten – Ms. Marcantonio’s Class
Students learned about composting by using a classroom compost bin for their lunch and snack waste throughout the week. This experience helped them understand food waste and the environmental benefits of composting.
Junior Kindergarten – Mrs. Mosinski’s Class
Students created “seed bombs” using recycled paper and native seeds from the Chicago area. They brought them home to share with their families, extending their learning and encouraging native planting at home.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students from both classrooms participated in an Earth Day neighborhood walk, collecting litter along the way. This activity helped build awareness of environmental responsibility and community care.
Grade 1
After reading Wangari’s Trees, students examined their classroom paper usage. They evaluated their findings and developed plans to reduce paper waste going forward.
Grade 2
Through a Mystery Science unit, students explored the causes and effects of erosion. They built models to demonstrate their understanding and identified strategies to reduce erosion in natural environments.
Grades 3-5
Our upper elementary students participated in a clothing drive and sidewalk sale focused on fast fashion and its environmental impact. Students brought in gently used clothing after Spring Break, and a sidewalk sale was held on Earth Day. Remaining items were donated to Cradles to Crayons. Students also created promotional posters and learned about textile recycling efforts in Chicago, including partnerships aimed at reducing waste.
Grade 6
Mrs. Gorcyca’s class either taught younger students about renewable energy and built simple solar-powered devices, or participated in a neighborhood cleanup focused on reducing litter, depending on scheduling.
Grades 7–8
Middle school students researched environmental issues and presented their findings through informational posters, highlighting both challenges and possible solutions for a more sustainable future.
Across all grade levels, students participated in meaningful, age-appropriate experiences that deepened their understanding of environmental responsibility and encouraged thoughtful action toward a healthier planet!
