Welcome to Buddy Project: The Next Generation of Teaching and Learning

Recycle Activity

for Grades K-2

What to recycle and where to recycle can be a mystery to families and schools. Do some detective work to find out what types of materials may be recycled in your area and where to take them.

School and Family Recycling

• Use websites like Earth911 to research what can be recycled in your area. Enter your zip code to discover where the closest drop-off points are for each type of recyclable. (Internet / NETS 3)
• Each student will write a letter to their family asking them to help with the class’s recycling campaign. Using a word processing program, students compose a letter that can include any of the following: types of trash that may be recycled, closest recycling locations, preparation needed and center’s hours. The recycling centers’ website could also be listed. Students can illustrate their letter with a picture of themselves with something they want to recycle using a drawing program such as Paint™ or Kid Pix™ or crayons/markers. (Internet, Word Processor /Drawing NETS 1,2,3,4)
• A few weeks after sending the letters home, using a spreadsheet application such as MS Excel™, display a listing of recyclable items. During the class discussion about what their families recycled, add amounts to the items and make a chart to see what items families in your class were able to recycle. (Spreadsheet NETS 4, 5)

Indiana Learning Standards:

English/Language Arts

• Standard 2: Reading and Analysis of Nonfiction and Informational Text
• Standard 4: Writing Process and Features
• Standard 5: Writing Applications

Science

• Standard 2: Scientific Thinking

This "Go Green" resource was developed by Buddy for an eco-education initiative, "Green Connections: Learning and Living." This initiative will run from February 1 through Earth Day on April 22, 2009.

This resource appeared in the ETC...and More! volume 2, number 5 newsletter and is published by the Buddy Project (Corporation for Educational Technology), in collaboration with the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators (HECC), Indiana Computer Educators (ICE), the Indiana Department of Education, and Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students (PATINS).