Introduce renewable energy to students with discussion. Explain how solar and wind energy are renewable sources that we use every day. Discuss how the sun is a source of energy for many things, such as food (growing vegetables), wood (trees), and light, so that students begin to think about how the sun can be used as an energy source. Have the students make a paper sun and hang "rays" from it like a mobile. On strips of paper, the students can write ways they can use the sun's energy instead of electricity or fuel; they can then hang the strips from the circle using string or paper clips. Have each child present her sun mobile and ideas to the class.
Go green by having first-graders bring litterless lunches to school. Landfills and recycling depots process tons of garbage every week. Students can learn how easy it is to reduce the amount of waste they produce if you designate a litterless lunch day each week. Discuss possible lunch ideas that will enable parents and students to accomplish a goal of zero litter from your classroom's lunches and compile a list of options that the students can take home and use to make their own litterless lunch. Options might include using reusable containers to pack lunch items; eating healthy, natural foods, such as apples or bananas, which can be composted and are biodegradable; and using eco-friendly sports bottles for drinks instead of cans or juice boxes.
Go green in the classroom in as many ways as you can and include first-graders in the effort. Use recycled or recyclable classroom supplies, such as recycled paper and pencils. Reduce waste by using both sides of worksheets instead of just one. Turn off the lights and open the curtains on bright days to reduce the energy used by your class. If the temperature outside is warm, open the windows to let the fresh air in and help regulate the temperature inside. Art classes can include natural products, such as water-based paints or clay, which are better for the environment.
Many classrooms have class pets, but growing a class garden or just a class plant is better for the environment. If you have the space and permission from the school, first-graders can begin a compost heap and use it to fertilize a small garden outside of the classroom. You can grow vegetables to add healthy snacks at lunchtime or to donate to local food banks. If a compost heap isn't something you can do, students can create small indoor gardens and still go green by watering the plants with the water from a cooking project or science experiment, as long as it doesn't contain any chemicals.