Lesson 198: Recycling for a cleaner world

🟡 SOCIAL STUDIES (40 Lessons) • 🟠 E. Projects

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Objective

I can tell what recycling means, sort simple items into rubbish and recycling with an adult, and say one way recycling helps keep the Earth cleaner.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What is recycling?

Every day, people throw things away. We call this rubbish or trash.

Rubbish and bins

  • Rubbish goes into a bin so it does not make the ground dirty.
  • Some things are just rubbish and cannot be used again.
  • Some things can be recycled and used again in a new way.

What is recycling?

  • Recycling means taking old things like paper or plastic and turning them into new things.
  • It helps us use fewer new resources, like trees and metals.
  • It helps keep the Earth cleaner, with less rubbish.

Things that can often be recycled

  • Paper and cardboard (like clean boxes and sheets)
  • Some plastics (like clean bottles)
  • Metal cans (like clean drink cans)
  • Glass bottles and jars (adult handles glass)

Staying safe

  • A grown-up decides what can be recycled in your area.
  • Children never touch sharp glass or dirty items.
  • We wash our hands after helping with recycling.

In this lesson, we learn the idea of recycling and practice sorting simple, clean items with an adult.

Picture strip: Sorting into bins

Guided Practice — Plan a simple recycling chart

You will plan a recycling chart that shows what goes in rubbish and what goes in recycling.

  1. On a notebook page, draw a table with two big columns. At the top of the left column write or trace "Rubbish". At the top of the right column write or trace "Recycling".
  2. With an adult, look at some clean items at home, like paper, a plastic bottle, a metal can, or soft plastic that cannot be recycled.
  3. Decide together where each item belongs in your area. Remember: the adult decides the correct bin.
  4. Draw a small picture of each item in the right column and write or trace its name next to it. For example, "paper" in the recycling column.
  5. At the top of the page, write or trace the title: "My recycling chart".
  6. Read your chart aloud to an adult. Point to each picture and say, "This goes in rubbish" or "This goes in recycling".
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: Say a full sentence as you trace, such as "Recycling helps keep the Earth clean."

Practice — Make a recycling poster

Use your recycling chart to make a poster that reminds people to put things in the right bin.

  1. On a clean sheet of paper, write or trace a big title at the top: "Recycling for a cleaner world".
  2. Draw two big bins or boxes. Label one "Rubbish" and one "Recycling".
  3. Inside or near each bin, draw pictures of items from your chart. Show at least three items for rubbish and three for recycling.
  4. Under the picture, write or trace a simple sentence, such as "Put paper in recycling." or "Rubbish goes in the bin."
  5. Add a small Earth picture, stars, or leaves around the edge of your poster to show that you are caring for the planet.
  6. Share your poster with an adult. Read the sentences aloud and talk about one recycling habit you can practise at home.

Quick Check — Recycling for a cleaner world

Answer each question about rubbish, recycling, and caring for the Earth. These questions check simple ideas only.

1) What does recycling mean?

Recycling means using materials again instead of throwing them away.

2) Which item can often be recycled?

Clean paper and cardboard can often be recycled.

3) Who decides what can be recycled in your area?

Adults know the local recycling rules and decide what can be recycled.

4) Why does recycling help the Earth?

Recycling means less rubbish and fewer new resources taken from the Earth.

5) Where should rubbish go?

Rubbish belongs in a bin, not on the ground.

6) Which sentence is true?

Adults handle unsafe items. Children help with safe, clean ones.

7) Which action helps recycling?

Putting clean recyclables into the recycling bin helps.

8) What should you do after helping with recycling?

We wash our hands after helping with recycling or rubbish.

9) What makes your recycling poster clear?

Neat pictures and clear sentences show how to use the bins.

10) What is one goal of this lesson?

The goal is to understand recycling and help keep the Earth cleaner.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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