Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

A technology integration lesson plan for Kindergarten Science

MCj02900540000[1]

Lesson Summary

This lesson will teach students the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle), what they mean, and why they are important. Students will each be able to participate in hands-on activities such as a taking an old jar and decorating it to reuse it as a coin jar or a pencil holder and sorting of various materials that can be recycled. Students will complete a worksheet that will be used to assess their knowledge of recycling. By the end of this lesson, students should have a basic understanding of recycling and will be able to continue recycling outside of school.

Objectives

Know the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and understand the importance and basic ideas of each.
Be able to identify ways that each person can reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Identify objects that can be recycled.
Get children interested in recycling in the classroom and at home.

Duration

This lesson will take three classes.

Lesson Type

Students will work individually as well as in groups.

Technology Integration

This lesson will use technology by watching a video online that will be used by the teacher while the children watch together. The teacher is provided a link to the website with a video, which can be played on a screen in the front of the classroom for all to see.

Instructional Procedures

Day One:

Introduce students to recycling by asking them to raise their hands if they know what recycling is and if they recycle at home.
Explain to students that recycling is taking an object and rather than throwing it away, sending it away to be changed into a new object. Recycling helps cut back on the amount of waste that we produce, which is helpful to saving or environment.
Play an online video showing recycling: Recycling Video
For added information on the process of recycling, read a book aloud to the students. Ask the students to share what they have learned or already knew about recycling.
Teach about Reducing: Tell students that by not reducing, they are creating more waste which is bad for the planet. Reducing can cut back on waste which will help protect our environment. Discuss ways that we can reduce (examples could be using silverware instead of plastic ware, using a metal or plastic lunchbox rather than paper bags, and using a reusable shopping bag at the store instead of plastic bags).
Have the students ask their parents if they can bring in a used but clean glass or plastic jar for a craft project the next day.

Day Two:

Teach students about the importance of reusing materials which cuts back on the amount of waste that is produced.
Talk about ways that we can reuse items:

- When clothing no longer fits, it can be donated to Goodwill or given to family members or friends that will be able to wear it. Glass and plastic jars can be reused to put different items in, such as coins. Ask students if they can come up with other items that can be reused rather than thrown away.

As an activity to teach how items can be reused for a new purpose, have the students take a clean glass or plastic jar and decorate it with various materials (beads, rhinestones, ribbons, paint) and take it home with them to use as a pencil holder or as a coin jar (or any imaginative ideas that they can come up with).

Day Three:

Get students involved in and excited about recycling so that they may continue to do it in their own homes.
The teacher should bring in three plain bins for the classroom. Divide the class into three groups. One group will be glass, one paper, and one cans. Each group will take the large sticker letters and spell out either glass, paper, or cans and put them on their bin. The students can use the permanent markers provided to add extra decoration for their bin. Let the students sort through the items that have been brought in and put them in the appropriate bin for recycling.
Give the students the worksheet provided. Have them circle the items that can be recycled. Worksheet

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on how well they can differentiate between recyclable and non-recyclable items based on the worksheet that is provided. The teacher will assess their knowledge based on class discussion and participation in the different activities.

Materials Needed

§ Internet in the classroom

§ Video link (provided)

§ Worksheet (provided)

§ Extra clean plastic or glass jars for students who do not have their own

§ Decorating materials: beads, glue, ribbon, puffy paint, rhinestones

§ 3 plain bins

§ Large sticker letters to spell Glass, Cans, Paper

§ Permanent markers

§ Various recyclables (glass, cans, and paper items)