Curated OER
Litter
Students discuss the concept of littering and what they do personally to contribute or prevent littering. In this environmental awareness lesson, students create a jingle, or a commercial to promote recycling. Links to some excellent...
PBS
A Little Recycling Goes A Long Way
Every time you purchase something from the store, it goes into a bag, but what happens to the bag? This lesson encourages your learners to think about what happens to those plastic and paper bags and their effect on the environment. Use...
Curated OER
It All Adds Up
Young scholars brainstorm reasons for politicians to expand recycling programs and find statistics to support recycling programs. They design posters, displaying a compelling statistic about recycling, to convince students at their...
Curated OER
Classroom Trash Audit
Students investigate solid waste. In this environmental instructional activity, students collect their own garbage for a day and analyze the weight and the percentage of recyclable items in their trash.
Curated OER
Now We Teach Six Rs
Learners explore recycling. In this ecology lesson, students sort classroom garbage into items that can be reused, reduced, or recycled. Learners brainstorm ideas for reusing items and discuss ways to celebrate Earth Day at...
Curated OER
Sojourner Model
Sixth graders explore the concept of Sojourner. In this visual arts lesson, student create a model of Sojourner using recyclable or "junk" materials. Students are encouraged to experiment and problem solve to find what works...
Curated OER
War on Waste
Students take a closer look at food waste. In this global studies lesson plan, students perform a waste audit at their school and institute a lunchbox challenge to reduce food waste. Students may also complete the extension activities.
Curated OER
Recycling!
Pupils explore environmental awareness by participating in a recycling activity. In this sustainability lesson, students identify methods in which things can be reused, such as paper. Pupils utilize aluminum foil, a bowl, water, spoons...
Curated OER
Forest Products in the Classroom
Students make recycled paper as they discuss products we get from trees.
Curated OER
Packaging
In this environmental awareness lesson, students discuss packaging and the importance of using recycled materials in their packaging. Students bring in all sorts of items from home, and brainstorm ways that those items could have been...
Curated OER
Fashion Forward, Fashion Functional
Students consider the implications of waste. In this waste streams lesson, students learn what waste streams are and identify their impact on the environment. Students also recycle waste materials to create functional objects.
Curated OER
We are the World - Writing about our Earth
First graders write facts about the Earth. In this Earth lesson, 1st graders discuss natural resources, recycling, and how to keep the Earth clean. They work in groups to create a small book with 3-5 facts about the Earth's environment.
Curated OER
Dumptown, USA: Making a Ton of Difference
Learners investigate the recycling system in the United States by participating in an online activity. In this environmental care lesson, students research what makes up our trash output in this country and where it goes....
Curated OER
Wastewater
Students discuss what happens to their wastewater. They read about the wastewater treatment process. Students are asked what types of things get flushed down toilets or goes down drains in sinks and showers. They are taught what happens...
PBS
Blow the Roof Off!
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics...
Curated OER
Trash Disposal Choices
Students determine the differences between reusable, compostable and recyclable trash.
Curated OER
Mini-Sanitary Landfill
Second graders work in groups to bury a variety of trash items and arrange them in a mini-landfill. They predict which items will biodegrade and then keep records of what the items look like every ten days. Students consider how...
Captain Planet Foundation
Fall into Healthy Shapes
Kindergartners identify geometric shapes by planting a fall garden. They start their seeds in containers that have different shapes, and keep track of their plants based on those shapes. This brilliantly designed and incredibly thorough...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Elements of the Water Cycle
The basic elements of the water cycle and how water is recycled through our environment is focused on in this lesson. Your students construct classroom terrariums and learn to make and record observations relating to the water cycle....
Beyond Benign
Can You Hear Me Now? Cell Phone Accounts
How sustainable are cell phones? Throughout the unit, learners explore the issues around cell phones concerning sustainability. Class members take a graphical look at the number of cell phones across the world using a box-and-whisker...
Curated OER
The Flat Stanley Project
Students read the book Flat Stanley. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students participate in earth-friendly activities based upon the book. This lesson includes ideas such as using recycled paper to make a "paper pal."
Curated OER
Dumptown Game
Students engage in an interactive play scenario. They are the new managers of a fictional city and live in a place where nothing is recycled. Students are faced with various problems that need to be solved. They work together to propose...
Curated OER
After the Garbage Can: Where Does Our Trash Go?
Students explore how waste disposal has changed over time and what the current issues are. In this disposal lesson students collect data and create graphs.
Curated OER
Where is Away?
Focusing on where are garbage goes once we dispose of it, learners explore environmental concerns. Using a clear format, this lesson leads learners through a discussion of waste reduction, recycling, and composting. Then, they discuss...