Hug the Earth

Hug the Earth 

On November 11, our class time was spent discussing with our peers our concerns for the Earth and what we think is important to teach to our future students based on these concerns. Through an activity called Hug the Earth, each student was given an opportunity to express his or her concern for the Earth and propose a way in which he or she could bring awareness to the issue in our own classrooms. Many of the issues presented in the class discussion involved world peace, saving the animals, and building awareness of the effects of bullying on specific groups of people. The issues mentioned in the class varied from global issues to local issues. After each student had shared his or her thoughts, one student held the globe up in the center while the rest of the students placed a hand on it.
This could be used as a symbol for how, as a class, we can make a difference in the world by addressing the concerns that we had previously expressed.


This activity can be used in an elementary classroom to introduce the students to a geography unit. Students can each take turns and hug the Earth as they share something that concerns them. Students can reflect on the ideas of their peers by contributing to the discussion. The students will come to realize, with the guidance of the teacher, that they can make a difference in the world. All together, the class can take on the challenge of bringing awareness to some of the concerns expressed throughout the activity.