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Eco Activities for Elementary School Students

For elementary school students ready to delve deeper and put what they've learned into action, Keep Arkansas Beautiful has project ideas to inspire students to take the lead and make a difference. By learning new concepts and roleplaying key decision makers, these lessons are intended to help today's elementary school students become tomorrow's community leaders.

All materials are FREE to use, download and share!

ENVIRONMENTAL LESSONS
Litter Prevention Recycling Beautification / Conservation

Litter Prevention

Keep Arkansas Beautiful offers students new ways to expand their knowledge. Taking on the roles of lawmakers, community designers, scientists and more, students can get first-hand experience with litter prevention at every level.

Lessons

Lesson 1: "Otto’s Litter Patrol"

Students learn about how litter harms animals on a small and large scale in our ecosystems.

 DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH)
Lesson 2: “Keep the Streams Clean”

Learn about litter’s path from land to water.

 DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH)
Lesson 3: “Waste to Compost”

Explore how food waste can be prevented from going to the landfill by becoming soil.

 DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH)

    Recycling

    There's so much more to recycling than bottles, cans and cardboard. Students are invited to learn more about other types of recyclable waste and to get a realistic view of the larger process, from what we buy to the capacity of local communities to recycle it.

    Lessons

    Lesson 1: “Sorting Superheroes”

    Learn what items belong in recycling, trash, or compost bins.
    COMING SOON
    Lesson 2: “The Story of a Can”

    Follow an aluminum can in the making until it can become recycled.
    COMING SOON
    Lesson 3: “Bottle Cap Mural”

    Turn classroom recyclables into art.
    COMING SOON

      Beautification / Conservation

      Clean, green natural spaces make Arkansas communities happier, and it's all our responsibility to pitch in and get our hands dirty. These lessons give students the chance to learn and practice conservation and beautify our state by planting native wildflowers, planning urban green spaces, maintaining community gardens and more.

      Lessons

      Lesson 1: “Planting for Pollinators”

      Learn about the native Arkansas bees, butterflies, and other insects and why they are important by creating a pollinator garden at school.
      COMING SOON
      Lesson 2: “Nature’s Neighborhood”

      Explore how plants, animals, and people share spaces.
      COMING SOON
      Lesson 3: “Little Landscapers”

      Students learn how to design a garden by mapping out and drawing their own garden design.
      COMING SOON

        Otto the Otter Books & Activities

        Download, print or order your free Keep Arkansas Beautiful educational materials featuring Otto the Otter in English or Spanish.

        Order Materials
        "The Messy Garden Mystery" Children's Book "The Messy Garden Mystery" Children's Book READ ONLINE
        "Otto the Otter and the Great Arkansas Mystery" Children's Book "Otto the Otter and the Great Arkansas Mystery" Children's Book DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH)
        "Otto the Otter and the Great Arkansas Mystery" Workbook "Otto the Otter and the Great Arkansas Mystery" Workbook DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH) DOWNLOAD (ESPAÑOL)

          EducationalMaterials

          View and download environmental activities by grade-level.

          Middle School

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          High School

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