Students at Silver Springs Elementary School in Northville, Michigan worked hard throughout the month of March to raise funds to plant trees. The money itself came from a reading program, but that was just one part of the many activities that these eco-conscious students put together to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Fifth-graders put on a musical called "Agents of Change;" a series of skits that show how easy and fun it is for kids to be green. They even feature such fun characters as "Penguin Joe" and a quartet of intrepid reporters. The skits were student-written, and include messages about the importance of recycling, the effects of global warming, and the need for kids to get involved.

Third-graders wrote a rap song, sung at assemblies, with the chorus "We're readin' and writin' to plant some trees!" and a list of the many ways kids can help the environment, from conserving energy to recycling.

For the "March Is Reading Month" program, students "read to be green. …