Revisiting Recycling

Revisiting Recycling lesson plan

Refresh conservation convictions with this student-led persuasive project. Develop skills to change minds and improve the environment!

  • 1.

    Find out what your school does to recycle. Does it recycle paper, cans or plastic from the cafeteria, or printer cartridges, for example? What community recycling programs are operating?

  • 2.

    Hold a class discussion on recycling and its benefits to the environment. Find specific examples of how and why materials, such as paper and aluminum, are recycled. Research the benefits of recycling. Find statistics and examples where recycling has made a difference.

  • 3.

    How could recycling efforts be improved in your school or community? List all the possibilities for local recycling with Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils. If you need to make corrections, just erase and start again.

  • 4.

    Use your list and information you collected to try to persuade school or community leaders to set up or renew a paper or other recycling program. Draft a convincing letter that explains all the positive aspects of recycling. Offer ideas about how students can help make it work. Describe how recycling is effective in other schools. Proofread your letter carefully. Then write the final copy.

  • 5.

    Support your letter with eye-catching posters. Use Crayola Gel Markers on recycled file folders to show you are serious about conservation!

  • 6.

    Make cards to help get your message across. Cut recycled file folders with Crayola Scissors. Give your cards to leaders and adults to generate broad community interest in Revising Recycling.

Benefits

  • Students develop and practice their research and persuasive writing skills.
  • Students conceptualize and communicate ideas through the written word and the visual arts.
  • Students transform their knowledge and research into creative thinking and expression for a concrete, responsible purpose.

Adaptations

  • Invite school and community officials to your classroom. Write press releases and ask media to attend. Read your letters and display your art. Write thank you notes to express appreciation for the leaders’ interest.
  • Give cards to families and friends. Hang posters in public places to persuade others to rethink recycling.
  • Follow up to see what happened with your proposals. Attend public meetings. Write additional letters of support, such as letters to the editor. Enlist volunteers to help make your plans happen.