Format
1. We begin this program with a vote. "Raise your hand if you have ever eaten a Happy Meal"
2. We identify and count the items in a Happy Meal.
3. Raise your hand to predict how many pieces of trash you think are in one Happy Meal
4. We carefully dissect a real Happy Meal and tally the food items vs the wrapping items. We discuss this amazing result. we then use math to calculate the number of trash items if the entire class or grade level would generate!
5. Students learn the terms and sign language for "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," and apply them to their classroom by identifying items that in their classroom that match these terms. We discuss how they are already doing this and how can they do more?
6. Then we show common objects and ask students to guess how long these items take to decompose. Students record the number of years that these items take to decompose on their 'How Long Litter Lives" list.
7. Students count their home and school waste baskets. They discuss what is in their trash cans and recycle bins..
8. After a short story, students use their art skills to decorate a brown paper lunch bag to turn it into a "Trash Troll" litter bag to keep in their family car.
9. We review with a "Call to Action" using photographs of kids picking up litter and using "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."
Objectives
Students will:
understand and define vocabulary terms: litter, reduce, reuse, recycle
be able to name definite actions that they themselves can take in order to reduce, reuse, recycle
compare the length of time different items take to decompose
understand the detrimental affects of litter on our environment
be able to make a positive decision regarding trash disposal
develop an appreciation for the problems that local littering causes
engage in activities of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" in the student's own live
Standards Alignment
National Standards
Standards for Earth Day program
Literacy
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.1 to .4
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1 to .7
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.1 to .3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1 to .6
Science
"Understand and communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air and living things in our local and global environments."
K-ESS3-3.
K-ESS2-2.
ESS2.E
Art
NA-D.K-4.1
NA-D.K-4.3
NA-T.K-4.2
NA-VA.K-4.1
NA-VA.K-4.2
NA-VA.K-4.3
NA-VA.K-4.6
Math
K-2MD.A.2
State Standards
Valerie will identify your state standards if you would like. Just let her know!