Earth Day Cleanup

Curriculum Area

Subject: Physical Education (PE)
UK Curriculum Reference: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Physical Development
Specific Area: Moving and Handling, Health and Self-care

• Developing gross motor skills through active movement
• Understanding the importance of caring for the environment
• Practising mindfulness and reflection to support emotional well-being

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Work collaboratively to clean up their outdoor environment.
2. Develop gross motor skills through bending, picking up, and moving around.
3. Reflect on how their actions contribute to a healthier planet.
4. Practise mindfulness by focusing on their senses and emotions.

Resources Needed

• Small gloves for each child (optional but recommended)
• Biodegradable rubbish bags
• Tongs or grabbers (if available)
• A large basket or bin to collect waste
• Visual cards showing types of litter (to provide guidance)
• Soft mat or blanket for post-activity reflection

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Lesson Structure (30 minutes)

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes) – "Nature Movers"

Objective: Get students engaged and moving, connecting movement to nature.

• Gather students in a circle outside.
• Lead them in a fun movement game where they pretend to be different elements of nature:
  • Blowing Wind – run lightly around in circles.
  • Growing Tree – stretch arms high and sway gently.
  • Jumping Frog – squat and jump forward.
  • Marching Ants – march in place like busy ants carrying food.
• Emphasise big movements to warm up their muscles.

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2. Main Activity (15 minutes) – "Earth Day Cleanup"

Objective: Work together to pick up litter while exploring movement.

Instructions:

1. Safety Briefing (2 minutes)

   • Show students the visual cards of different types of litter (e.g., paper, plastic, leaves).
   • Explain what is safe to pick up and that sharp objects are for adults only.
   • Demonstrate proper movements: bending knees (not backs!) and using grabbers if available.

2. Litter Hunt (10 minutes)

   • Give each child a small biodegradable bag.
   • Spread out across the schoolyard or park.
   • Encourage gross motor movements – bending, walking, squatting, reaching.
   • Make it fun! Pretend to be "Earth Protectors" on a mission.
   • Give positive reinforcement: "Great teamwork!"

3. Sorting the Rubbish (3 minutes)

   • Gather all children and their collections.
   • Sort some of the litter into categories (plastic, paper).
   • Quick discussion: “Did we find anything surprising? How does this help the Earth?”

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3. Cool-Down & Reflection (10 minutes) – "Mindful Nature Reflection"

Objective: Calm breathing, relaxation, and discussion about caring for the Earth.

Mindful Sitting (3 minutes)

• Sit together on a mat or blanket in a quiet area.
• Close eyes and breathe deeply.
• Listen to nature sounds (birds, wind, leaves moving).

Guided Reflection Questions (5 minutes)

• "How do you feel after helping clean our planet?"
• "How can we remind others to take care of nature?"
• "What did you notice about the rubbish we picked up?"

Gentle Stretching (2 minutes)

• Stretch arms up to “reach the sky.”
• Fold forward like a “falling tree leaf.”
• Take one last deep breath and smile at friends.

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Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment for Learning

• Observe how students engage in movement (balance, coordination, effort).
• Listen for responses during reflection – are they understanding the impact?
• Encourage participation and teamwork.

Differentiation

• Support: Pair children with buddies who can help. Offer grabbers to reduce difficulty.
• Challenge: Ask more reflective questions, such as, "Why do people throw litter?" or "What happens if animals find rubbish?"

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Final Thought

This lesson not only encourages movement but also instils a sense of responsibility in young learners. By engaging in a real-world task and linking this to mindfulness, students develop environmental awareness and personal well-being simultaneously.

Encourage students to share their experiences at home and inspire their families to join Earth-friendly activities! 🌍💚