April 2023 – EARTH DAY
Timeline of the Night
5.30pm – Art Warm Up
5.40pm – Welcome
5.45pm – Faith Talk
5.55pm – Art Example
6.00pm to 7.15pm – Creative Time
From 6.00pm – Dinner
7.00pm – Dessert
7.15pm – Group Discussion
7.25pm – Farewell
7.30pm – Pack Up
Colouring Sheet
Click the image for a larger printable file
Art Warm Up
To have fun and help you get comfortable creating something.
You will need: a piece of paper, a texta and a cup to trace around
Step 1: Use the cup to trace a circle on your page
Step 2: Trace circles all over the page, making sure the lines overlap
Step 3: Where the circles overlap round the lines
Step 4: See a close up version
Step 5: Do this at every point the circles overlap
Step 6: Add more circles if you like
Optional: Colour in the shapes
Theme – Earth Day
Earth Day started in 1970. It was a time when people were becoming more aware of the impact we humans were having on the planet. And after a massive oil spill in California people were inspired to do something.
Like Pride, like International Women’s Day, Earth Day also started as a protest.
It’s suggested that 20 million people, 10% of the American population at the time, protested on that first Earth Day.
It has grown to be observed across the world. It is recognised as the largest non religious day observed, with more than a billion people taking part in it each year.
If you want to know more, the Earth Day website is a good source of information.
Looking after our planet is a justice issue. How we do that is multifaceted.
We can look to Jesus as an example.
While Jesus never talked about helping the planet, he talk a lot about other justice issues.
From him we can learn that we need to:
One. Educate ourselves on the issues facing our planet. And also educate and talk to those around us.
Two. Look at the what actions we can individually take, or our communities can’s take. And remember we can’t do it all, all the time.
Three. Understand that taking care of the planet is also about challenging the systems that exist in the background. We can use our power; our ability to vote, to protest and to share on social media to challenge the systems behind injustice.
Planet Friendly Art Activities
Earth Day 2023 has 5 specific focuses.
Planting Trees.
Reducing Plastic Consumption.
Advocating for the Planet.
Thinking How you Vote.
Sustainable Fashion.
Our art activities are based on several of these.
Glitter Containers
Glitter is plastic. When it is thrown in the bin or put down the sink it works its way into our environment. There it contributes to the level of micro plastics and eaten by animals.
One of the few safe ways to dispose of glitter is to stick it to an object you plan you keep.
Step 1: In a cup mix together your glitter and glue. This is the least messy way and will make sure you glitter doesn’t fall off.
Step 2: Paint the glitter glue over your container.
Step 3: When dry, add another layer if needed.
Up Cycling Clothes
The fast fashion industry causes a lot of damage to the planet. Finding ways to up cycle your clothes can reduce the need to buy new ones.
There are lots of different ways to up cycle, tonight we are using fabric paints.
Step 1: Place a bag paper bag or piece of cardboard inside your clothing. The stops the paint soaking through.
Step 2: Use fabric paint to decorate.
Step 3: Allow to dry. Remove bag/cardboard.
Step 4: Cover design in baking paper and use an hot iron for 30sec to set the paint. You item is now able to be washed.
Earth Day Reminders
To help you remember Earth Day everyday, you can make a framed reminder with worn out jeans, a second hand photo frame, paint pens and needle and thread.
Step 1: Cut a piece of denim to fit your photo frame. Hint: Trace the backing or the glass to get the right size.
Step 2: Decorate your denim with paint pens or needle and thread.
Step 3: Place your denim artwork in the frame. Optional: Remove the glass so you can see the fabric pattern. The glass can be use for other art projects.
Step 4: Place some where in your house or work as a reminder.
Group Discussion Questions
- What did you create tonight?
- What are your personal reasons for doing things to take care of the planet? Is your faith a factor in this?
- Go onto the Earth Day website and take one of the quizzes. You can do this individually or as a group. CLICK HERE
- Share with the group something new you learnt.
- What are some actions you already take to help the planet? Eg. recycle, avoid single use plastic etc.
- What is something else you would like to try?
- Looking at the 5 Earth Day focuses. What are the individual actions we could take to help them, and what are the systems that need to be challenged?
Eg. Plant Trees. Individual Action – we can plant trees in our local area or join a tree planting day. System – Land is constantly being cleared for farming and agriculture, trees are being cut down for construction and fuel, land cleared to make way for buildings, roads and mining. - How might we be able to challenge the systems behind each of these focuses?