The way a plant grows from a tiny seed into a productive plant is an interesting process, especially to younger children. If your school has enough room, help the first-graders plant a garden on the school grounds. Each day, the students can tend to the garden, watering it, weeding it and ultimately harvesting it. This works best in warmer climates that are capable of growing plants all year round. In colder climates, give the students plastic cups filled with soil and seeds to plant. Students can plant their seeds, water them daily and watch them grow into a plant.
The type of weather for the day dictates what you wear and even how you feel. Set up a weather chart in the classroom for students to track the weather each day. Set up a time each day to sit down as a class, mark the day's weather on the chart and talk about the weather and its effects. Talk with students about each type of weather and why weather changes.
Young kids often pay more attention to the world around them than adults do because adults tend to lead busier lives. Take the class for walk at a nature preserve or park in your area. Create a checklist of things for the students to find and identify, such as flowers, leaves, rocks or bugs. Or ask the students to collect certain nature items, such as fallen leaves or rocks. Once you return to the classroom, talk to the class about what they have found. Help them identify the leaves in a book and determine to which plants the leaves belong. Talk about recycling and its positive effect on nature, as well as littering and its negative effects.
Every living thing has its own habitat that is best suited to fit its needs. Take a field trip to the local zoo and instruct students to pay attention to the different habitats designed for the animals. After the trip, talk about the different habitats and ask the students how each one fits the needs of the animals. You can also play a matching game in which students match up each animal with a picture of its habitat.
Protecting the earth's resources is the responsibility of the human race, including children in first grade. Organize activities for the first-graders that help them learn how to care for the planet. Help the students sort materials from the class garbage can and recycle them instead. Take students outside on the school grounds and help them pick up trash. Teach them not to leave the water running or the lights on when they are not needed. Give students a checklist to take home to help them implement these practices in their own homes.