PBS
Blow the Roof Off!
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics...
Curated OER
The Trash We Pass
Where does our garbage go? What is the difference between a recyclable and non-recyclable item? Pose these important, but often overlooked, questions to your class and invite them to consider the lasting and damaging effects of the...
Curated OER
School Yard Waste
Fourth graders examine the types of garbage that they collect on the playground. They collect the information in a spreadsheet and create a graph that displays the number of types of trash found. They design and monitor a playground...
Curated OER
Waste Management
Four different activities focus on the amount of trash generated and how humans can better manage waste. Learners analyze two days' worth of household garbage, test materials for biodegradability, and rate recyclability of various...
Curated OER
Vermicomposting
First graders investigate composting. In this biology lesson, 1st graders identify ways to use garbage as fertilizer. Students examine soil and compost matter as well as the role of worms in the dirt.
Curated OER
Recycling
Students explore the recycling process. For this recycling lesson, students gain understanding of how garbage is disposed of. Students makes lists of things that can be recycled. Students discuss how animals and plants are damaged by...
Curated OER
Trash Bashing
Students define trash, garbage, or solid waste, discuss ways of disposing of trash, list examples of biodegradable materials, and have trash relay race in order to sort trash into appropriate containers labeled biodegradable, reusable,...
Curated OER
Waste Management
Students explore the topic of waste management. They define key vocabulary words, take a pre-quiz, complete a questionnaire, evaluate their own waste reduction habits, and write a short summary.
Curated OER
Sorting "Good" Junk (Recycling)
Second graders study recycling. In this environment lesson, 2nd graders discuss how to sort trash, sort actual trash labeling it, and explore the trash writing new uses of each item of trash instead of throwing the...
Curated OER
Junk Mail Overload!
Students discuss the "junk mail nuisance" with the teacher and share their opinions on the problem. Students collect a week's worth of junk mail, bring to class and complete a chart about the amount and weight. Students then complete an...
Curated OER
How Long Does Trash Last
Students work in cooperative groups to estimate how long trash lasts in a landfill. They study environmental consequences of not recycling and use graph-making software to create a graph that illustrates the lifespan of trash items...
Curated OER
Recycling: Causes of Pollution
Students read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss while focusing on similarities in their world and that of the Lorax by completing a worksheet. They examine the effects of pollution or garbage on the environment.
Curated OER
Discovering the Problem of Solid Waste
Students catagorize the types of garbage from going through a trash can provided by their teacher. They then chart the items on a graph and propose a solution to reduce the amount of garbage.
Curated OER
What Can We Do About Trash in Our Community?
Fourth graders examine how to deal with the amount of trash in their community. They discover alternate ways of managing waste. They develop their own solutions to the problem.
Curated OER
The Trash We Pass
Students engage in a study of trash and how it is disposed of in the environment. They also research the impact of recycling and its effects upon the disposal amounts. Students calculate the advantages of recycling using real world...
Curated OER
Fireplace Logs from Newspapers
Young scholars discuss the topic of recycling. They identify items that can and cannot be recycled. They practice using their newspaper to make other items.
Curated OER
Trash Count
Students identify pollution around their local community. They discuss the sources of polution and categorize objects based on their properties. They discover ways to make changes to the environment and how to inform the public.
Curated OER
Make a Difference
Middle schoolers are introduced to the resource economies of recycling aluminum cans. They develop understanding about their own impact on the amount of solid waste produced and recognize the impact of recycling on energy and natural...
Curated OER
The Waste Paper Basket
Students examine the consequences of littering and creating garbage.
Curated OER
Reduce and Reuse
Students conduct a lunch waste audit by recording each item they throw away at lunch. They graph class lunch waste. They use this information to devise a plan of action to reduce lunch waste. There is also an activity to make paper.
Curated OER
Trash Traits: Marine Debris, Litter, Ecology, Oceans
Students perform experiments to examine whether trash can float, blow around, or wash away. The effects of these characteristics on the presence of marine debris in the environment are then discussed.
Curated OER
Recycle
Young scholars determine the weight of paper waste generated by the class. They brainstorm ways to reduce and recycle. They make their own paper to demonstrate recycling. This instructional activity is very effective in demonstrating how...
Globio
Glossopedia: Earth Day
Earth Day is a worldwide celebration held annually on April 22nd. The purposes of Earth Day, the history of and the various activities held around the world are described. Activities and projects that can be done daily or year round are...
Better Planet Productions
Earth Care: Whose Garbage Is It? [Pdf]
After researching the political and environmental issues around Toronto, Ontario's shipment of its waste to Ann Arbor, Michigan, students will hold a debate and write an opinion paper.