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Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse
Reusing or Recycling
Lesson Description:
- Identify and describe the difference between recycling and reusing materials.
- Identify and describe how an individual’s action in regards to waste management can affect change and improve the environment.
- Make oral presentations related to the topic of study.
Lesson Type:
- Other
Sustainability Topic:
- Waste Reduction
GEF Program Category:
- Waste Reduction Challenge
Time Needed:
Two 45 minute in class sessions, additional outside of class time for each group
Two 45 minute in class sessions, additional outside of class time for each group
Standards Addressed:
Geography Standard 16: Understand the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution and importance of resources.
Geography Standard 18: Understand global development and environmental issues.
Technology Standard 3: Understand the relationship among science, technology, society and the individual.
Language Arts Standard 8: Use listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
Geography Standard 16: Understand the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution and importance of resources.
- Benchmark # 5: Know advantages and disadvantages of recycling and reusing different types of materials.
Geography Standard 18: Understand global development and environmental issues.
- Benchmark # 2: Know ways in which resources can be managed and why it is important to do so (e.g., conservation practices, recycling non-renewable resources).
Technology Standard 3: Understand the relationship among science, technology, society and the individual.
- Benchmark # 4: Know that new inventions reflect people’s needs and wants, and when these change, technology changes to reflect the new needs and wants.
- Benchmark # 5: Understand that technology may affect the environment both negatively and positively (e.g., the introduction of plastics).
Language Arts Standard 8: Use listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
- Benchmark # 3: Respond to questions and comments (e.g., gives reasons in support of opinions).
- Benchmark # 5: Use strategies to convey a clear main point when speaking (e.g., express ideas in a logical manner, use specific vocabulary to present information).
- Benchmark # 7: Make basic oral presentations to class (e.g., use subject related information and vocabulary; include content appropriate to the audience; relate ideas and observations; incorporate visual aids and props; incorporate several sources of information).
Materials Needed:
- Cards with waste items recorded
- Empty container or plastic bag
- Pencils and paper
- Empty plastic drink bottle
- Sample of waste materials to be reused (see list provided)
- "What Are We Wasting" Worksheet provided below
- Pictures of items made from recycled and reused plastic water bottles
- Magazines showing ways to reuse materials
- Internet access
Submitted By:
Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Green Education Foundation (GEF)
School or Group:
Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Contact Email:
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
service@greeneducationfoundation.org