Learning About Changemakers with Kindergarteners: Wangari Maathai Activities and Writing Projects
This year, our school held a wonderful Changemakers assembly. Each grade level chose a changemaker to learn about and share with the school. It was incredible to see the creativity and thoughtfulness. Students showcased their understanding through portraits, songs, poems, and even original skits. Every presentation reflected a deep connection to the changemakers’ stories.
My class learned about Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Her story sparked so much excitement. The kids were fascinated by the idea that planting trees could be a powerful act of change.
We watched several videos of Wangari speaking about the importance of planting trees and protecting the environment. We loved her story about the hummingbird! We decided to write letters to the Green Belt Movement to say thank you and to share what the students had learned.
We also took our learning outside. We observed the trees around our school and hugged a tree (or two!) We talked about how trees help hold the earth together. The students were fascinated to learn how roots communicate underground and support each other...just like people do in a community!
We talked about what it means to be a changemaker. Not just someone with a big name in history books, but anyone who stands up, speaks out, and takes action. And it made me think: how can we help our students feel like changemakers too?
Here are a few project ideas that worked for us. I hope they spark some fun learning in your classroom too!
- Planting for Change: We planted seeds in small pots and wrote about what kind of “change” we wanted to grow in the world.
- Writing for a Cause: The letters to the Green Belt Movement were just the beginning. Some students wanted to write letters to our local leaders about the need for a new playground that is safe for all, specially children in wheelchairs!
- Poetry for Peace: Students wrote poems about courage, fairness, and hope.
- Changemaker Portrait Gallery: Students created poster of our changemaker and wrote about how they too, could be a changemaker!
There’s something really magical about giving students the chance to learn about people who’ve worked to make the world a better place. And then helping them imagine how they might do the same.
If you’re interested, I put together a resource with printable activities and projects all about changemakers.
Thanks for being here and for all the small and big ways you inspire change in your classroom too.
Happy teaching and learning!
TP
@sparkingcreativitynow