Project Timeline

This project takes about 6 weeks to complete. Students will need about 4-6 hours to research their topic and an additional 6-8 hours to prepare their projects. Sculptures can be a home work project or a class project. Click (timeline_earthfair.jpg)) for a printable version.

Prior to beginning this project you, the teacher, will need to:

• Familiarize yourself with conservation topics and the variety of ways students can present their topics and review the webquest http://sites.google.com/site/earthdaywebquest/home.
• Acquire video, Ron McNash Found Object Sculptures, or other video.
• Ensure that all students have access to a computer with Internet access.
• Acquire notebooks for each students to use as their journal.
• Work with other members of the school community to organize the Earth Fair, preferably during the week of April 20 (when Earth Day is celebrated).
• Decide if you will establish the project groups or if students will select who they will work with.
• Teach students about the research process and how to use the Internet. Review with students the section of the Webquest on taking notes.
• Set aside time in the computer lab if you do not have classroom computers
• Call local conservation agencies to come and talk to your students or set up a field trip if you would like to do this (optional).
• Make a recycled art project to show as an example (optional).
• Edit and duplicate the Earth Fair flyers (earthfair_flyer1.ppt).

Week 1 (Second week of March)

Day 1

• Introduce the project and the history of Earth Day.
• Present the driving question.
• Students begin to collect trash for their sculptures.

Day 2

• Watch the video: Ron McNash - Found Objects Sculptures or similar video regarding recyclable art.
• Teacher presents 5 conservation topics.

Day 3

• Students select their conservation topic, groups, and outline ideas for their products.
• Distribute notebooks.
• Send home Earth Fair flyers to parents

Day 4

• Students begin to research their conservation topic on the student Webquest http://sites.google.com/site/earthdaywebquest/home and begin to take notes in their journals.

Day 5

• Students research their conservation topic and take notes in their journals.

Week 2 through 4

(Third week of March - first week of April)

• Consider having an assembly for students on a conservation topic.
• Students continue to research their conservation topic and take notes in their journals.
• Students begin to draft their final products.
• Students continue to collect trash for their sculptures and begin creating them (either at home or at school).

Week 5 (second week of April)

• Students focus on completing their final product and sculptures and prepare for the Earth Fair.
• By the end of the 5th week, students complete their product and sculptures.

Week 6

(Third week of April - Earth Day)

Day 1

• Students practice presenting their final product to the whole class in preparation of their final presentation at Earth Fair.

Day 2

• Students practice presenting. Set up exhibition in auditorium or other large space.

Final Day

• Earth Fair - Recyclable Art Exhibitions and Final Presentations to parents.