Lesson Plan
Better Planet Productions

Earth Care: The Abandoned Mine [Pdf]

For Teachers 6th - 8th
For this mini-unit, students will research urban waste disposal issues, and investigate the practicality and environmental impact of using an abandoned mine as a landfill.
Graphic
Curated OER

Landfills: Hazardous to the Environment

For Students 9th - 10th
Lists landfill issues such as leakage, water contamination, air emissions, and hazardous waste dumping. Gives extensive documentation site links.
Handout
Environmental Education for Kids

Eek!: Teacher Resources: My Ton of Trash (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Here you can find an engaging lesson plan on the trash each individual generates over time. Students will learn how trash is generated, how trash is disposed of, and possible ways to reduce the amount of trash.
Unit Plan
University of Wisconsin

The Why Files: What to Do With Trash?

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the pros and cons of placing trash in landfills or incinerating it.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Energy Sources: Energy From Urban Waste

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses landfill gas recovery programs in Texas and the benefits that this renewable energy resource has for the environment and the economy.
Website
Other

Commercial Paving and Recycling

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes products, services, and technology incorporated to recycle construction and demolition wastes in order to reduce the amount of waste destined for the landfill.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Composting Nature's Disappearing Act

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students explore the idea of biodegradability by building and observing a model landfill. This serves as an introduction to the idea of composting. Students learn about the role of engineering in solid waste management.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Take Care of Our Planet

For Teachers 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about solving the problem of landfills. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Too Much Trash

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about recycling to reduce trash in landfills. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Website
Other

Solid Waste Association of North America

For Students 9th - 10th
A good place to learn about current issues in the solid wastes world. Two of the most useful sections are "hot topics" and "contact us", both of which can be used to find out more about municipal solid waste management.
Graphic
Curated OER

Landfills: Hazardous to the Environment

For Students 9th - 10th
Lists landfill issues such as leakage, water contamination, air emissions, and hazardous waste dumping. Gives extensive documentation site links.
Handout
Other

Recycling Revolution: Recycling Facts

For Students 1st - 9th
Lists facts about recycling aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass, and about solid waste and landfills.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Environment for Kids: Land Pollution

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about land pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, garbage, landfills, trash, and facts.
Lesson Plan
Better Planet Productions

Earth Care: Whose Garbage Is It? [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
Other

Microbworld: Discover Unseen Life on Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit this terrific site "to find out all about the world of microbes from your own hands to the mighty Himalayas, landfills to oil spills, common colds to uncommon cures, under microscopes and in the news."
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Environment

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Through 10 lessons and more than 20 hands-on activities, students are introduced to the concept of an environment and the many interactions within it. As they learn about natural and human-made environments, as well as renewable and...
Article
Other

Australian Acad. Of Science: Food Waste: Preventing Multi Billion Dollar Problem

For Students 9th - 10th
The top priority when it comes to food waste is to avoid generating more. Food waste includes all food intended for human consumption that never reaches us, as well as edible food that consumers throw away. As it rots in landfills, food...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: The Big Dig

For Students 3rd - 5th
Even though many cities have recycling programs, a lot of trash still ends up in the dump. Find out which materials will break down and which materials won't. Will the results of this experiment change which products you often buy?
Interactive
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Dumptown Game

For Students 3rd - 8th
This fun game helps students learn ways to recycle, reduce waste, and compost. You can also create your own Recycle City Scavenger Hunt.
Website
Other

Association of Science Technology Centers: Rotten Truth About Garbage

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive website includes activities, time lines, definitions, statistics, and information to help you see garbage in a new light. Of special interest is a page that shows all of the resources that go into the production of a...
Website
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Land, Waste, and Cleanup Topics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is loaded with information on solid waste and hazardous waste. It includes industries' effects on the environment, waste programs, treatment, control, pollution prevention, recycling, and cleanup programs.
Unit Plan
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University

De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Grant Park [Pdf]

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
"Grant Park" is a one page, nonfiction passage about Chicago creating a landfill by putting the trash from the Chicago fire in 1971 into the lake, on which they built Grant Park. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: 3 Rc (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson, students expand their understanding of solid waste management to include the idea of 3RC (reduce, reuse, recycle and compost). They will look at the effects of packaging decisions (reducing) and learn about engineering...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Heavy Metal

For Teachers 6th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about problems created by electronic waste being thrown in landfills. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

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