Our Earth: How a 10-Year Old Made a Difference with Composting

BACKGROUND

Last spring, my third-grade classroom was watching a video of a person hugging the earth. Then I found out we were going to do a poster about it, and I thought I could do that. But I also believed a bunch of other people were going to use my idea. But no one else did. So, I got to work, and it turned out really well.

EXECUTION

My concept started when my teacher read several poems and I got some ideas from them. I found one poem that seemed really interesting, and it was called “Our Earth,” which used the music from “Our House” by Graham Nash. This is one of my favorite songs. I used the colors red, orange, yellow, and grey from another one of my cherished songs called “Just Like Fire” by Pink. And I got some trash can ideas from one of my classmates. She had created some beautiful artwork that she put on a poster. But for some reason, she threw hers away, so I just put some tiny trash cans right in the corner. And I decided to use inspiring words like, “Go Compost!” and “Go Trees!” and “Go Earth!” I just wanted to inspire people to keep doing those great things to the trees like keep making them grow, keep making earth a beautiful place, keep composting, and of course, putting compost in the right bin! Therefore, making earth a better place.

SUMMARY

What I hope happens is to have earth be a better place for all animals, fish and for all people. I hope we all can put away our trash in the right bin and in the right place. I hope people can make good choices to make the world less polluted. I hope us kids, and all people, no matter what we look like, what we believe and what we do, I hope we can can change this world no matter who we are!

EMILIE PAULSEN, AGE 10 4th Grade, Neil Cummings Elementary School

To see the impact these actions can have, click here.