Conservation, Disposal and Recycling
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to make informed choices in the use and conservation of natural resources and reusing and recycling of materials such as paper, aluminum, glass, cans, and plastic.
Essential Understanding
The student is expected to make informed choices in the use and conservation of natural resources and reusing and recycling of materials such as paper, aluminum, glass, cans, and plastic.
Science Background
Recycling: Environmental Protection Agency (website) - Recycling creates valuable resources from materials that otherwise would become waste. This EPA website outlines the benefits to recycling, and explains the steps involved in the recycling process.
Recycling
Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov
Reduce & Reuse: US Environmental Protection Agency (website) - By reducing consumption and reusing materials, individuals and industry can save natural resources and lower costs. Navigate this site for information about strategies we all can employ to conserve resources—and the benefits to be gained by doing so.
Reduce & Reuse
US Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov
Signature Lesson
In Search of Recyclable Plastic: Wonderville (website) - Students collect and list plastic items from home, learn how to recycle different types of plastic, and become able to make informed choices regarding best ways to use and conserve natural resources, and to recycle when possible.
In Search of Recyclable Plastic
Wonderville, http://www.wonderville.ca
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Recycling: Discovery Education (website) - Students learn what biodegradable materials are, how they compare to man-made materials, and how they are “friendly” to the environment.
Recycling
Discovery Education, http://www.discoveryeducation.com
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Trash Art: US Environmental Protection Agency (PDF) - Scroll to page 59 for an activity that raises student awareness of the materials they throw away. With assistance from their parents, students collect trash from home, along with images of disposable garbage to create murals that illustrate how much we routinely waste.
Trash Art
US Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov
Assessment Ideas
Waste Race: US Environmental Protection Agency (PDF) - Scroll to page 201 of this activity guide for instructions on setting up a relay race in which students demonstrate their understanding of the difference between reusable, recyclable, compostable and/or disposable waste.
Waste Race
US Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov
Literature Connections
Why Should I Recycle? Green, Jen (ISBN-13: 978-0764131554)
Temperature: Heating Up and Cooling Down. Stille, Darlene (ISBN-13: 978-1404803459)
The Lorax. Dr. Seuss (ISBN-13: 978-0394823379)
Additional Resources
Recycling Lessons and Activities for Students: Kitsap County (WA) Public Works (PDF) - Activities, suggested further reading, and vocabulary focusing on recycling/reuse, waste reduction, composting and more.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 4
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