skip to main content

Contra Costa County Office of Education

Young Environmentalists at Marchus School Celebrate Earth Day with Classroom Activities

Young Environmentalists at Marchus School Celebrate Earth Day with Classroom Activities

Paper cup turned into artwork
Two boys looking at plants inside planter
Boy looking at dirt inside planter
student showing his drawing
Teacher showing flower in vase
Student showing project on his computer
Class standing next to butterfly garden
Students looking at plants in the butterfly garden
Student working with Aide
Students looking inside butterfly garden
Aide working with student
Earth Day Artwork
Student showing Earth Day artwork
Seedlings in classroom
Labeled plants
Teacher showing projects

April 2025

Jamie Hallowell's classroom at the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s Floyd Marchus School in Concord celebrated Earth Day with a variety of projects that showcased student creativity and knowledge about environmental conservation. 
 
An array of artwork, inspirational quotes, and seedlings of sunflowers and cilantro welcomed visitors to the class, which is made up of 3rd–5th graders. Ms. Hallowell explained that the students planted and nurtured the seedlings while sharing interesting facts about the growth process and the benefits of having plants in the area. 
 
“Just as my students have nurtured their garden with care and patience, it is my responsibility as their teacher to cultivate in them a lifelong love for learning,” Ms. Hallowell said. 
 
The student artwork showcased paper cups transformed into beautiful flowers, emphasizing the importance of reducing waste and reusing materials. Students proudly displayed their creations, highlighting their understanding of upcycling and its benefits for the environment. 
 
The Earth Day projects were woven into the teacher’s lesson plans throughout the month of April to promote conservation and raise awareness about materials that negatively impact the environment. Students shared artwork and facts they learned from Ms. Hallowell and proudly displayed their creations. Large recycling containers in the classroom also made it evident that recycling is a year-round focus in Ms. Hallowell’s class, demonstrating that green practices are regularly applied by students. 
 
One impressive project is the pollinator garden students planted with lavender and sunflowers. Students explained that plants attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for a healthy ecosystem. 
 
As part of their project, the students created a one-of-a-kind Earth Day art piece for County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey, to be displayed in the CCCOE’s Ronald L. Stewart Building in Pleasant Hill.