Recycling Interactive Lesson

1. Recycling Interactive Lesson By: Mrs. Allison and Mr. Kelm

2. Introduction • What is recycling? You are about to embark on a recycling adventure in which you will discover the answer to this and many other questions! Please follow the outline below as a guide for your new quest. • Task • Process • Resources • Evaluation • Teacher Page

3. Task • The goal of this interactive lesson is to aid students in the exploration of recycling and the recycling process. Upon completing this lesson, students will be able to: • define what recycling is • identify which materials can and cannot be recycled • explain how the recycling process works (collection, processing, and manufacturing) • understand why we recycle • reflect on their own recycling habits and how it impacts the world around them

4. Process • Day One: Setting the Stage • Day Two: Online research. • Day Three: Investigation • Day Four: Making Paper! • Day Five: Field Trip! • Day Six: Making Contact

5. Day One: Setting the Stage • Watch online Video: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzuJR_3DJPY • Teacher-led class discussion: • What do you Know about recycling? • What do you Want to know about recycling? • Teacher fills out ‘K’ and ‘W’ of the class KWL Graphic Organizer. • Students receive their own copy of the KWL Graphic Organizer and write in 4-5 points from each column of the class graphic organizer to guide their online research.

6. Day Two: Online Research • Students research recycling facts on websites listed below and add to the “L” portion of your KWL Graphic Organizer: • http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/recyclingforkids.html • http://www.livestrong.com/article/173487-recycling-facts-for-kids/ • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G6RjMHKpsg • Teacher-led discussion: • Students share with class what they have Learned about recycling from online research. • Teacher fills out the ‘L’ part of the class graphic organizer.

7. Day Three: Investigation • Watch online Video: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c5cnM_TdHw • Investigate how school recycles: • Class will form 8 small groups, venture into different areas of the school, and fill-out Recycling Investigation Worksheet. • Group One: Kindergarten Classroom • Group Two: First-grade Classroom • Group Three: Second-grade Classroom • Group Four: Third-grade Classroom • Group Five: Fourth-grade Classroom • Group Six: Fifth-grade Classroom • Group Seven: Office/Library • Office Eight: Lunchroom • Share and discuss results of school investigation with class • Class interview with Janitor about how school recycles • ASSIGNMENT: Fill out Recycling Investigation Worksheet for how recycling is done in student’s home

8. Day Four: Making Paper! • Teacher-led discussion: Studetns share their results of home recycling investigation. • Make home-made paper from recycled paper: • Students learn about the process of making paper from this link: • http://www.edcodisposal.com/kids/recycled-paper.html • Teacher reviews paper-making process with class • Students will split up into small groups and collect paper from around the school to use for project. • With teacher/parent guidance, students will follow paper-making instructions to make their own paper!

9. Day Five: Field Trip! • Field Trip to local recycling center! • Watch online Video: • http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/index.html?load=garbage_recycling • WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT: • Investigate a local store for products made from recycled materials. • Look for things that have the recycling arrows or say “Made from recycled materials”. • List one product from this store that is made from recycled materials

10. Day Six: Making Contact • Teacher-led discussion: Students share results of finding product made from recycled materials • Email local companies to find out if they make products from recycled materials: • Work in small groups to search internet for local manufacturers • Research what products manufacturer makes • Find contact information for manufacturer • Language Arts integration: • Teacher will lead mini-lesson on composing a business email • Students will compose a business email asking a local manufacturer if they use recycled materials in any of their products • 2-Week Follow-up • Class discussion about the responses that were received

11. Resources • See Word files for: • Recycling KWL Graphic Organizer • Recycling Investigation Worksheet • Recycling Learning Evaluation • Additional Fun Web Links: • http://www.kidsbegreen.org/ • http://www.kidsrecyclingzone.com/ • http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/

12. Evaluation • Teacher evaluates a student’s effort and progress on various elements within the Recycling Interactive Lessonand fills out the Recycling Learning Evaluation sheet for each student.

13. Teacher Page • State Standards • Objectives of Learning • Suggestions for lesson implementation

14. Wisconsin State Standards • Science, Standard H.4.4: Develop a list of issues that citizens must make decisions about and describe a strategy for becoming informed about the science behind these issues. • Science Performance Standard B.4.1:Use encyclopedias, source books, texts, computers, teachers, parents, other adults, journals, popular press, and various other sources, to help answer science-related questions and plan investigations. • Social Studies Performance Standard D.4.7:Describe how personal economic decisions, such as deciding what to buy, what to recycle, or how much to contribute to people in need, can affect the lives of people in Wisconsin, the United States, and the world.

15. Objectives of Learning • Upon completing this WebQuest we want students to have learned: • What materials can be recycled • How recycled materials are collected • What happens to recyclables after they’re collected • What products are made from recycled materials • Why recycling is important • What can be done to improve their own recycling habits

16. Suggestions for Lesson Implementation • This interactive lesson is designed to be completed over several days. The days do not need to be consecutive school days. The “Follow Up” activity at the end of Day 6 will likely take place 2 or more weeks after the emails are sent out. • Day 1: As teacher leads class in filling out the “What do I WANT to know about recycling” portion of the graphic organizer, teacher should suggest questions that will address the points listed on the “Task” and “Objectives of Learning” pages. • Day 2: Students should work in groups of 2, depending on the availability of computer resources. Teacher should move among students to provide guidance with their research. • Day 3: Teacher will need to make arrangements with different rooms in school for students to conduct investigation. Teacher will also need to arrange class interview with school janitor. Students can use the same Recycling Investigation Worksheet for school project and home assignment. • Day 4: For the paper-making project, the teacher will need to have the frames for draining/drying pre-made and will need to bring in at least 2 blenders (see link for instructions) Teacher may want to arrange for parents to assist with this project. • Day 5: Teacher will need to make arrangements with a local recycling center for a school tour. Parent chaparonnes will be needed for this field trip! • Day 6: Students may not have an awareness of local manufacturers. Teacher may want to prepare some google search terms to get the students started in their research.