Improving School Recycling

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students evaluate their school recycling programs and propose improvements.

Subjects: Language Arts, Science

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

• define the word proposal,
• study their school recycling program,
• research ways to improve different aspects of the recycling program,
• write a proposal highlighting suggested improvements, and
• work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords
Earth Day, school, recycle, improvement, environment

Materials Needed

• student-researched library sources and/or online sources about recycling and recycling programs
• paper
• pens or pencils
• computer(s) with Internet access and a word processing program (optional)

Procedure
This project should be completed over several lessons. The teacher decides the length of time needed to complete the project; the length of the project depends on the ages and abilities of the students.

Part 1

• Discuss the meaning of the word recycle. Ask students to discuss ways the school recycles materials.
• Ask students whether they can improve the school recycling program.
• Discuss the meaning of the word proposal. Tell students that they are going to write a proposal to improve the school recycling efforts.
• Organize students into small groups. Assign each group one aspect of school recycling. One group might focus on plastic, another on glass, and another on paper.

Part 2

• Have each group research how the school recycles assigned material. Then have the groups use library and/or online sources to research new and/or different ways to recycle materials.

Part 3

• Have each group write up its research as a report. Let each group present the material to the class.

Part 4

• Have the class use the information from each group's research to write the recycling improvement proposal. Let the class present the completed proposal to the school administration.

Variations

• Idea 1: For younger students: Have the class work together on the project. Let students focus on one aspect of recycling; for example, have the class write a proposal to improve the recycling of plastic materials at school.
• Idea 2: Have students evaluate their community's recycling program.

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