Environmental Exchange Box Sample Activity

Getting Ready
Before doing this activity, you'll need to find another group to exchange boxes with — and we can help! Just fill out the form below and send it to us. We'll match you with another educator. Be sure to allow at least four weeks for a match.

Doing the Activity

1. Once you get the name and address of your "exchange partner," tell the students that they are going to exchange "environments" with students in another region. Explain that the students you're exchanging with will not know much about your local environment. It's the responsibility of your group to prepare items for the box that will teach your exchange partners about your region.

2. Brainstorm with the students a list of items to include in the box. Then have the students divide up the responsibilities of researching, collecting, and preparing materials for the box. The students might want to consider some of the following items for their box:
   • Brief descriptions of your region written by the students
   • A collage of pictures of local ecosystem types (beaches, marshes, deserts, urban environments, and so on)
   • A book with drawings of some interesting local plants and animals or of many different plants and animals found in the region
   • Photographs of your group and your school or meeting area
   • A video of local ecosystems which also records the sounds of animals in those areas
   • Stories written by the students about their favorite things to do or favorite places to go
   • Samples of special regional foods such as maple syrup from Vermont, prickly pear jelly from Arizona, dates from California, or peaches from Georgia (see safety note)
   • Descriptions and pictures of regional cultural events and celebrations
   • Representative natural objects from your area such as tree leaves, nuts, and cones; pressed flowers; rocks; shells (see safety note)
   • Recordings of sounds of your area or oral reports on various topics prepared by the students
   • A field guide, prepared by the students, of all the trees in the neighborhood (or of other natural things in your area)
   • A description of local environmental issues and news articles on all sides of the issues

3. While you're waiting for the box from the other group to arrive, ask the students what they know or have heard about the region they're exchanging with. Can they name major cities, geographical landmarks, or other features of the region? What is the climate like there? Record the students' ideas on a chalkboard.

4. When the box arrives from your exchange group, open it with the students and examine its contents. Then have the students compare that region to their own. For example, how do the climates compare? What kinds of animals and plants (if any) live in both places? Are there differences in the ways people live?

5. As a wrap-up, have the students use the exchange box to create a representation of what they liked most about the other area or what they imagine it would be like to live there. For example, students could draw pictures that depict their favorite item from the box or that show a scene in the other region. Or they could write down their impressions of items from the box in creative ways. For example, they could write stories about their imaginary adventures in their partner's region.

Enrichment

1. The concept of conservation can be discussed using the exchange box your class made. What actions could be taken to conserve the resources used to make the products that they put in their exchange box?

2. Contact your local newspaper for coverage of the opening of your exchange box. Students could write a press release (see "Publicize It!" on page 209).

Finding A Group To Exchange Boxes With
To find another group to exchange boxes with, just fill out the following form and submit it to us. We'll match you with another educator. Be sure to allow at least four weeks for a match.