Objectives:
To create an
awareness about our responsibility to the earth
To
understand what it means to conserve our resources
To
integrate citizenship and math
To
engage students in a recycling and/or repurposing project
Materials Needed:
● A copy of the book Earth Day – Hooray by Stuart J.
Murphy
● An example of something that has been repurposed
● A collection bin
● A map to look for and identify local parks
Anticipatory Set:
● Inquire as to why it is important to show
responsibility to the earth and be good stewards by recycling and conserving
resources.
● Show your example of something that has been repurposed
(ie. a handbag made from empty juice pouches) and talk about costs and benefits
of recycling and repurposing.
● Set the scene for reading the book with this question:
What is something you use every day that can easily recycle? Why is it
important to recycle?
Step-by-Step Procedures:
1. After setting the scene with the above set, read the book
Earth Day – Hooray aloud. Simple synopsis: Members of a school’s Save the Planet Club meet to clean up for the
upcoming Earth Day celebration. Instead of putting cans in the trash, they
recycle them and buy flowers with the money to beautify a local part. Their
goal is to collect 5000 cans. The
Club pools its resources by sacrificing recess time to count and sort cans and
by taking after-school field trips to search for cans. They expalnd their
efforts by recruiting other kids, handing out flyers, and carrying bags for
people’s cans in nearby neighborhoods. Because of their can-do attitude, these
students do meet their goal and are able to plant those flowers.
2. Review the story for comprehension.
3. Announce a class service project that
would allow for some recycling or repurposing in your school. Brainstorm
possibilities using a circle thinking map. For example, could students join
Capri Sun’s Juice Pouch Brigade and collect empty juice pouches. Each pouch up
to 5000 pouches (minus the straw) is worth one cent. Once the goal of 5000
pouches is met, they are worth three cents each. Have the class set a goal and
develop a plan for collection of these pouches. Discuss how they are repurposed
into handbags and other items. Visit Kraft for all of the details. Let students research other repurposing project.
Crayons recycle as well; check out the National Crayon Recycling Program.
Or maybe they want to collect aluminum cans like the children in the book
did. I believe those treasures bring in
about 63 cents per pound.
4. Whatever they collect, use it as an
opportunity to bundle and count by 5s or 10s and to chart and graph the
progress of the project. This can also be an opportunity to teach place
value.
5. Finally, decide on which local park
your students want to beautify. They may have to make phone calls or write an
email to secure permission to plant flowers. Perhaps they could even use the
money they’ve made (if there is any) to beautify your own school grounds.
Closure:
● Students decide on recycling/repurposing story, set a
goal and create an action plan.
● Project is ongoing until their goal is reached.
● Money earned is used to purchase flowers or tree.
● Planting ceremony brings class community together.
● Students write reflections about it on the school
website or for the community newspaper.
Independent Practice:
● Students count and bundle their recycled goods.
● Students practice math by charting and graphing their
progress.
● Students practice their writing and verbal skills by
making contact with community officials to request partnership.
● Students practice technology by using Google Earth.
For more Earth Day activities, visit Apples 4 The Teacher.
Happy Birthday to your Dad!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book review. I just pinned it!
❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
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