Learners investigate a contemporary "midden" by analyzing trash collected from various sources and determining life-style choices people make. They see that reducing the amount of waste we generate is helpful to the the environment.

First off, Newton's laws of motion aren't often taught at 2nd grade, so this lesson plan may be more appropriate for upper elementary learners. It begins with a discussion and demonstration of the laws of motion, and then has individuals...

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.

First graders consider the problem of too much garbage in America. In this garbage use instructional activity, 1st graders discuss ways to decrease garbage in the United States and complete a coloring sheet. 

Students examine trash for items to recycle and reuse.  In this trash lesson plan, students explore how people in the community can use recycled and reused items as they play a recycling game.

Raise children's awareness about the importance of conservation with this hands-on science lesson. Start by breaking the class into groups and having them collect trash from around the school or local park. Students then use the provided...

What should go in the trash, and what can be composted? Guide your young conservationists through the process of composing their trash with a lesson about the different ways we can dispose of garbage. Using a trash bag with clean...

Examine the nature of landfills through experimentation. Scholars build miniature landfills and monitor changes over a six-week period. Observations allow individuals to draw conclusions about the different types of trash and their...

With a piece of plastic here and a piece of plastic there, here a piece, there a piece, everywhere a piece. Teams go on a field trip in order to document the locations and kinds of plastic trash in an area near them. The eighth...

A thorough lesson introduces learners to Hans Christian Andersen, the nineteenth-century author who created wonderful tales. They read the original texts of several of his stories, including "The Ugly Duckling," "The Little Mermaid,"...

Investigate the different types of pollution that storm drain runoff carries into oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams with this class demonstration. Using an aquarium and an assortment of everyday items that contaminants like motor oil,...

Every year, more than 14 billion pounds of garbage is dumped into the oceans of the world, most of which is plastic and toxic to ocean life. Lesson 32 in the series of 36 focuses on environmental concerns, specifically pollution. Under...

How far does the human hand reach?  Five interactive lessons lead classes through a unit exploring the human impact on ocean resources, pollution, and even extinction. Learners discover how their decisions affect the ocean...

Teen-aged scientists analyze a graphic organizer of how trash is removed from New York City and then answer standard questions about a graph and a diagram. Resources are mentioned, but there are no links to these resources, so you will...

Fourth graders watch a video about how much solid waste is produced by each person and how it is disposed of. Using the internet, they identify and interpret data on the type of trash thrown out the most. They offer possible solutions...

We take paper for granted, while thousands of trees are being made into the paper we toss in the trash. Start a dialogue about paper reduction and recycling in class, and share the negative effects paper production has on our...

Students examine how trash is removed and evaluate statistics related to trash removal. In this trash removal lesson, students explore the different methods of trash removal and make an original diagram graphing statistical information....

Young scholars investigate the current environmental movement by cleaning up their own campus.  In this environmental care lesson plan, students practice cleaning their "environment" by picking up trash on their campus and decrease...

Young scholars apply what they have learned about throwaway products "and the valuable natural resources from which they're derived" by thinking about where garbage goes after they throw it out. They also examine their own ideas and...

Students identify types of garbage that will decompose quickly and the ones that do not.  In this decomposing instructional activity students observe and record the photo degrading of six pack rings. 

Students create a collage. In this collage lesson, students read a poem from Shel Silverstein and create an illustration to accompany the poem.

Students explain how recycling cuts down on greenhouse gases, and explore the consequences of global warming.  In this global warming lesson students divide into teams and create a useful product made out of recyclable items.

Learners create their own sculpture representing the idea of environmental responsibility and recycling. For this science lesson, students observe Les Constellations des Voisines du Pole by Joseph Cornell, make recycled...

Start talking trash with your elementary English class! Then lead a discussion comparing formal and informal language. Divide the class into groups to answer a questionnaire and analyze a set of sentence cards to analyze. This is a cool...