Briargrove Elementary Defenders of the Planet discover the benefits of eating organic and local foods

We're always asking what Kids for Saving Earth Clubs around the country are doing to promote Earth-friendly activities. Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, founder of Rawfully Organic Co-op, has let us know the tremendous effort she's a part of for the KSE club at Briargrove Elemenatary in Houston, TX. She's spearheading an effort to help create a one-acre "edible schoolyard," where students can learn about growing their own food naturally and organically.

"This creation is a one-acre natural garden and kitchen classroom that allows students to participate in all aspects of growing and preparing nutritious produce," states a press release about the effort. "Kristina’s expertise in coaching families on integrating the consumption of raw, organic fruits and vegetables in their diet will help the children in their 'green' journey."

Knowing where our food comes from is one of the most important aspects of living and eating healthy, and supporting a healthy Earth. Eating food locally supports local farmers and cuts down on the emissions that are used to transport food all over the country. Eating organic foods helps reduce the number of pesticides on our farms and in our bodies. We are so happy to hear about the efforts of Briargrove Elementary and Rawfully Organic Co-op, teaching kids these essential activities to support healthier people and a healthier, happier Earth!

The project will start this Friday, October 7. Read more about this exciting project, and check out Briargrove Elementary's KSE site for all the other eco-activities they participate in throughout the year.

Conserving Classroom Calendar for October: Earth-saving activities for kids

Hello Friends of Kids for Saving Earth!

In the United States families celebrate Halloween throughout October with parties and carnivals and by dressing up in costumes to go "Trick or Treating."  If your community celebrates Halloween remind your kids to think Earth-saving when choosing costumes or hosting your Halloween parties.  Look for costumes at thrift stores to reuse items instead of buying new.  How about having a "Can Can Carnival" and using the money you make to support an environmental activity for your class or school.

I know that teaching reading is a daily project in your classrooms and homes.  Consider teaching reading with an empowering goal through "Reading for the Earth."  It will inspire students, and your class can earn additional funds for Earth-saving projects. Check out the "Use the Library" eco-activity. Using the library is actually an Earth-saving activity.  Kids borrowing books from a library not only save money but also use less of the Earth's resources.

A very simple activity to do with kids is to promote "Use Cloth Napkins Week" to encourage your students to ask their parents to use cloth napkins.  Inexpensive cloth napkins and terry cloths work great and are easily washed for reuse.  Just be sure to have each member of the family have their own color napkin.

Please let us know about your environmental education projects.  We want to spread the word about your activities through our web page links as well as Twitter and Facebook.

We also want you to "like" us on Facebook.  If you have any announcements or press releases about your activities, please email us information.  We can also put your events on our calendar.

Shop at our Green Shop.  You'll help KSE and the Earth.  If you have product you are interested in selling on our site, email us your ideas.

Thanks so much for helping kids help the Earth.  Tell others about us by emailing them our web site link www.kidsforsavingearth.org.

For the Earth and its children,

New Month, New School Year, new Conserving Classroom Calendar

Hello Friends of Kids for Saving Earth!

September is here and I know you have much to do to begin the new year.  Please squeeze in some time to outline your Earth-saving plans for the year.  Remember that kids can learn math, science, music, art and just about any required curriculum by incorporating environmental protection into your school activities.  The added benefit to Earth-saving is that kids become empowered.  Children will long remember these meaningful, important lessons.

In our September calendar we have added links to information that will help you keep your room and school supplies healthier. Click on September 1, 2  and 6 to learn more.

So where on Earth are Kids for Saving Earth members?  They are all over the world and you can check out how many are in your state or country.  The groups are advised by instructors and/or parents throughout Earth. From California to Minnesota from Kenya to India, Kids for Saving Earth provides environmental education to empower children to protect the Earth.

There are several simple eco activities this month that kids can do with just a little help from you.  Teach kids how to save money both in your classroom and in their homes.  This can become a math project.  Pick an environmental project or two to support with the money you have saved.  Don't forget KSE or the KSE Rainforest when it comes to donations.

Ask students who bring bag or box lunches to pack them "green."  Print these forms and give them to your students to help them prepare their lunches in a green manner.

This "Clean Your Desk" form on the calendar will teach children how to clean out their classroom desks. Make it an Earth-saving experience and empower kids while they learn to organize their desks.

Have you had your first KSE Club meeting either during or after school?  Kids need to experience meetings. It's a good opportunity to teach parliamentary procedure.  Here are a few ideas for your first meeting.

We have two nonprofit partners who are working on interesting projects.  One is Global Green. They are announcing the Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition: A Chance to Win $65,000 to Green Your School! Learn more by clicking here. The town of Mansfield CT will present a free school composting webinar for anyone interested in learning how to start a composting program at their school.  Click here to learn more and register.

And don't forget to "like" KSE on Facebook, and Follow us on Twitter.

For the Earth and its children,

Eco-activities and environmental education for the new school year

Hello Friends of Kids for Saving Earth! A new month, a new Conserving Classroom Calendar, an interactive calendar with Earth Holidays and Eco-activities for classrooms, kids clubs, families, and anyone else who wishes to help the Earth.

Begin your school year with our Respect the Earth campaign. It's a great first step to empower children to spread the message about capitalizing the word Earth.  They can sign up on our Respect the Earth link and tell others to do so too.

It's back to school days and KSE has created a new program: Rules for Greening Schools.  Review this program and when school year begins choose the steps that work best for you. You can help protect the Earth and your students health. Also check out how to clean for healthy schools.

Another green school activity is to hold an Earth Expo at your school.  This will take some preparation so read it over and decide how you can fit some or all of it into your curriculum.  You might want to include studying about The Great Garbage Patch, a floating garbage "patch" in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas! Once they understand its causes, ask them to email us about what they can do to help prevent this problem. We  love to include students’ video reports on our site.

A friend of mine recently lost her son to cancer.  Adam was an amazing young man who loved the beauty of the Earth.  KSE has named him a Defender of the Planet.  The best way your students can honor his memory is to become Defenders of the Planet too.  Click here to learn more.

You might not know that KSE has some pre-school environmental activities.  Check our web site.  Also consider ordering our Teacher's Guide for Little Kids for Saving Earth.

Thanks for all you do.  Don't forget to communicate with us, support us, and spread the word about Kids for Saving Earth.

Have a happy August.

And don't forget to "like" KSE on Facebook, and Follow us on Twitter.

For the Earth and its children,

July is here! Environmental activities and education for kids from Tessa Hill

July is usually hot and sunny in the U.S. and Canada, filled with summer activities like fishing, camping, picnicking and family vacations. Kids often spend lots of time outside enjoying the warm weather. Take time to review some rules about protecting everyone from too much sun. Check out Unsun Fun to learn how to keep skin safe in summer while having fun outdoors. Also we have included a KSE Envirahealth Alert from The Environmental Working Group about best choices for safe sun blocks.

July is also a good time to educate your students about how to put the sun to work in a way that can help protect the Earth's health. Review activities in our Sun Power - A Bright Idea to help kids learn about solar power and how they can encourage governmental leaders to support sustainable energy practices.

Because many Congress members are in their districts visiting constituents during the summer, it's a great time to set up a visit to their local offices. Click on Meet Your Congressperson to learn how you can talk with them about your environmental concerns. Freedom to express your concerns is much of what July 4th is all about.

The United States, France and Canada have special national holidays to celebrate and honor their countries in July. If any KSE international members would like to include their national holidays on any month of our KSE calendar, please email us to let us know.

We are also looking for your opinions about our web site. Tell us what you like about it and give us suggestions for what you would like to see on our site. Email us your thoughts.

If you are on a summer break, now is the perfect time to gather photos, drawings, letters or whatever you have that shows us what your Defenders of the Planet are doing to help protect the Earth. Those of you who filled out the membership forms promising to send artwork and more, Today is the Day. Send or email us all this information. We will add you to our Defenders of the Planet page. We want to tell the world what our members are doing.

Finally, we need your support.  Buying green products from our KSE Green Shop or contributing a donation will be greatly appreciated.  There is so much Earth-saving work ahead and we can't do it without your support. A $2 donation from each of you would provide us enough funding for one year.  I don't receive a salary and we run KSE on a very small budget.  Please consider donating! 

And don't forget to Like KSE on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter.

For the Earth and its children,

Tessa Hill
President, Kids for Saving Earth
www.kidsforsavingearth.org
Office: 763-559-1234
37955 Bridge Road
North Branch, MN 55056