Recycling WebQuest

1. Recycling WebQuest 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 • Conclusion • Link for Educators

3. Task • The goal of this WebQuest is to aid students in the exploration of recycling and the recycling process. Upon completing this WebQuest, 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: Watch online video on recycling. Begin class discussion on recycling. • Day Two: Conduct online research. • Day Three: Investigate how school recycles. Receive ‘at home’ recycling investigation. • Day Four: Discuss results of at-home recycling project. Create home-made paper from recycled materials. • Day Five: Field Trip to local recycling center. Receive weekend project. • Day Six: Email local companies to find out if they make products from recycled materials.

5. Process: Day One • Online Recycling 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? • Fill out ‘K’ and ‘W’ of the KWL graphic organizer.

6. Process: Day Two • Research recycling facts 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: • What have we Learned about recycling? • Fill out the ‘L’ part of the graphic organizer.

7. Process: Day Three • 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 results of school investigation with class • Interview with the Janitor • Receive at-home recycling investigation

8. Process: Day Four • Teacher-led discussion about the results of the at-home recycling investigation. • Make home-made paper from recycled paper: • Teacher-led discussion on the process of paper-making using this link: • http://www.edcodisposal.com/kids/recycled-paper.html • 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. Process: Day Five • Field Trip to local recycling center! • Receive weekend project: • http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/index.html?load=garbage_recycling • 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. Process: Day Six • Email local companies to find out if they make products from recycled materials: • Work in small groups • Do an internet search to find a local business • Find contact information for business • Research business to find out what products they make • Compose e-mail to that business asking if they use recycled materials in any of the products they make. • Follow-up • Class discussion about the responses that were received

11. Resources • See Word files: • KWL graphic organizer • Recycling Investigation Worksheet • Evaluation Sheet • Additional Fun Web Links: • http://www.kidsbegreen.org/ • http://www.kidsrecyclingzone.com/ • http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/

12. Evaluation

13. Conclusion

14. Teacher Page • State Standards • Objectives of Learning • How WebQuest should be managed/implemented

15. 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.

16. 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

17. How WebQuest should be managed/implemented • This WebQuest is designed to be completed over several days. A lot of guidance by the teacher (teacher-led discussions, teacher/parent assisted paper-making project, teacher planned field trip, teacher arranged interview with janitor) and will also require the cooperation of other grades and areas of the school (for the school recycling investigation). • 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).