Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22. High Mowing Organic Seeds offers free seed packets to education farms and gardens. The donation program provides a pre-determined bundle of 25 assorted seed packets. Each bundle includes a variety of vegetables and a few herbs and flowers. To request seeds, visit www.highmowingseeds.com/donations.html. Many restaurants, grocery stores and other retailers offer Earth Day freebies. Be sure to check for deals in your area.
Save a life
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers several free resources for parents, educators and health care professionals, including magnets, workbooks, palm cards and mobile apps. Topics include suicide prevention; drug treatment, prevention and recovery and much more. Visit http://store.samhsa.gov for more information.
Remember the ...
The Endangered Species Coalition is a national network of hundreds of organizations working to protect the nation's disappearing wildlife and last remaining wild places. The group's Teacher Resource Center includes lesson plans, posters and other education resources to promote Endangered Species Day, May 16. Visit www.endangered.org/campaigns/endangered-species-day/teachers-resource-center/. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Property Repository makes confiscated endangered species artifacts available to educational facilities, nonprofit organizations and conservation agencies to aid in teaching about endangered species and other wildlife. Visit www.fws.gov/le/national-wildlife-property-repository.html.
Hungry for more
April is National Poetry Month. Celebrate by proudly displaying this year's poster, which was inspired by Mark Strand's poem, "Eating Poetry." The poster was designed by 2014 National Book Award finalist and New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast. To order the poster, visit www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/form/poster-request-form. The site, run by the Academy of American Poets, features several ideas to make your National Poetry Month celebrations pop.
The "Freebies" column offers free opportunities for you and your students. We do not screen for subtle or not-so-subtle plugs.