Recyclers Wanted!
An Adventure of the American Mind
Illinois State University
Lori McCoy and Mary Jo Sarff
Wilson Intermediate School District 108
Summer 2007
An Adventure of the American Mind
Illinois State University
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs
Baltimore, Washington, 1941
Although recycling seems to be a term that is commonly used in society today, do children understand what it means to recycle and what it does for our environment? In this lesson, the students will be focusing on recycling terminology, sorting of items, making connections between past and present, and hands on learning activities.
Overview/ Materials/LOC Resources/Standards/ Procedures/Evaluation/Rubric/Handouts/Extension
Overview Back to Navigation BarObjectives / Students will:
· identify basic recycling terms by viewing a PowerPoint and completing a KWL chart.
· view a picture of past historical recycling measures and compare and contrast using their own experiences to complete a Venn diagram.
· locate, identify and classify recyclable materials by locating them and sorting them correctly.
· estimate the mass of collected items and check their estimations by weighing them.
· use collected materials to compose an abstract piece of art.
Recommended time frame / One full school day, approximately five hours.
Grade level / 4th-6th
Curriculum fit / Language Arts, Math, and Science
Materials / · Handouts (Venn diagram, estimation math worksheet, and rubric)
· Chart paper
· Computer
· Small trash bags
· Plastic gloves
· Glue
· Construction paper
· Gram scale
· Overhead projector
· Overhead directions for art project
Illinois State Learning Standards Back to Navigation Bar
Science
GOAL 12: Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of the life, physical and earth/space sciences.
· 12.E. Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the Earth and its resources.
o 12.E.2c Identify and classify recyclable materials.
Language Arts
GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
· 1.C. Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.
o 1.C.2c Compare and contrast the content and organization of selections.
o 1.C.2f Connect information presented in tables, maps and charts to printed or electronic text.
GOAL 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.
· 4.B. Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.
o 4.B.2b Use speaking skills and procedures to participate in group discussions.
Math
GOAL 7: Estimate, make and use measurements of objects, quantities and relationships and determine acceptable levels of accuracy.
· 7.B. Estimate measurements and determine acceptable levels of accuracy.
o 7.B.2a Determine and communicate possible methods for estimating a given measure, selecting proper units in both customary and metric systems.
Procedures Back to Navigation Bar
Lesson One
· The students will be doing anticipatory word search.
http://www.gp.com/EducationalinNature/paper/lessonplans.html
(click on the link above to retrieve word search)
Lesson Two
· The teacher will show the following definition PowerPoint.
PowerPoint
· Students will be working with a partner to discuss PowerPoint and list topics for KWL chart.
· Next, students will post their notes on the K and W part of the chart paper. (this chart will be attached on the board and will be used throughout the day)
Lesson Three
· Students will be partnered in this activity. They will be going to the computer lab.
· Explain to students that they will be viewing pictures of recycling from the past.
· They will view all four photos and read the captions.
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/depwwii/wwarii/citizen.html
· At this point the students will be getting their Venn diagram to compare and contrast past recycling with today’s recycling.
Handouts
· Discuss with the class their Venn diagrams after completed and collect for assessment.
Lesson Four
· The teacher will read the following article:
· Clean Ocean Action's Beach Sweep
· http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cocoon/legacies/NJ/200003323.html
· This article will give the students an understanding about how children can make a difference recycling.
· After the article has been read, the students will be going on a “school sweep”
· The students will be traveling outdoors.
· They will be instructed to pick up any trash that they may find.
· Each student will be given a small trash bag and a pair of plastic gloves.
· When the students return to the classroom, the will classify item.
Measurement with Recyclables
· Next the will estimate the mass.
· Finally, they will find the actual mass of the items.
· The students will turn in this worksheet as a math assessment.
Lesson Five
· The students will use collected materials to make an abstract piece of art.
· Show the directions for the art project on the overhead.
· Abstract Recyclable Art Project
Lesson Six
· This will be the culminating activity of the day.
· The students will be reflecting on the following questions before they do the “L” part of the KWL chart.
o How have people managed waste throughout history?
o How have attitudes changed toward waste over time?
o Does your community or school have a recycling center?
o What items are recyclable?
· Students will use the post-it notes to write down what they have learned.
· Have a class discussion about the chart.
· Finally students will discuss during a class meeting what they can do to continue recycling.
Evaluation Back to Navigation Bar
rubric for recyclers
Extension Back to Navigation Bar
· The students may convert their measurements into different units.
For more information, you may visit the following website for books available about this topic.
http://www.eco-local.org/nc-eco-gifts-fun-books-_55.html
Primary Resources from the Library of Congress
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Image / Description / Citation / Permanent URL/ Clean Ocean Action's Beach Sweep / Frank Pallone, Jr., Representative (6th District).
Library of Congress
/ http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cocoon/legacies/NJ/200003323.html
/ Stream pollution, Dubuque, Iowa. / Vachon, John
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number LC-USF33-T01-001718-M1 DLC (b&w film dup. neg.) / http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(fsa+8a05566))
/ Paper Recycling Activity Sheet/word search / Educational in Nature. Georgia Pacific 1999. 13 July 2007. / http://www.gp.com/EducationalinNature/paper/lessonplans.html
/ Conservation. Scrap iron and steel. Waste materials from heaps such as these are a rich source of scrap materials for conversion into vitally needed defense material. Efforts are now being made to collect all such materials to alleviate threatened shortages (U.S. Route 1, Baltimore-Washington Highway, August 1941). / Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number LC-DIG-fsa-8e10685 DLC (digital file from original neg.) / http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(fsa+8e10685))
/ Waste paper. Waste is an American characteristic. For too many years we have simply thrown things out when we were through with them, without a thought that they might be reused. Here on this garbage scow carrying rubbish for disposal is a huge stock of waste paper, so vitally needed today for conversion into packing paper for defense and. / Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number, LC-USE6-D-001550 DLC (b&w film neg.] / http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(fsa+8b00982))
/ At the American Legion booth for collecting scrap paper. Chillicothe, Missouri. / Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number, LC-USF33-016196-M5 DLC (b&w film nitrate neg.) / http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c30681))
/ Washington, D.C. Old German field gun from the First World War collected in the scrap metal salvage rally in Griffith Stadium. To be made into new steel for weapons in the Second World War. / Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, ( Reproduction Number, LC-USF34-011637-D DLC (b&w film neg.) / http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(fsa+8b37494))
/ Rural school children, San Augustine County, Texas / Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number, LC-DIG-fsac-1a35426 DLC (digital file from original transparency) / http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(fsac+1a35426))
/ Pearl Harbor widows have gone into war work to carry on the fight with a personal vengeance, Corpus Christi, Texas / Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number, LC-DIG-fsac-1a34888 DLC (digital file from original transparency) / http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(fsac+1a34888))
Rubric
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Recyclers Wanted-Rubric / Date______/ Name______3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Word Search / Student found 30-35 words / Student found 20-29 words / Student found 10-19 words / Student found less than 10 words
Venn diagram / Student listed five items in each section / Student found three items in each section / Student found one item in each section / Student did not find any items
Math worksheet / Student completed three problems / Student completed two problems / Student completed one problem / Student did not complete any problems
Art Project / Student used plastic, paper and aluminum / Student only used two of three items / Student only used one item / Student did not complete the project
Total Possible / /12
Handouts
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Recycling Past and Present
Name ______
Comparing and Contrasting
Past Both Present
Measurement with Recyclables
Separate your found items into the three given areas, make an estimation of the mass, and then use the scale to find out the actual mass in grams.
Paper / Plastics / AluminumEstimate : / Estimate : / Estimate :
Actual ; / Actual ; / Actual ;
An Adventure of the American Mind
Illinois State University
Abstract Recyclable Art Project
Directions
1. Use your collected recyclables from our school sweep to design an abstract piece of Art. Make sure to include at least one item from each category.
Examples of Abstract Art: