Teachers Lesson Plan for Recycling

Unit of Study - Recycling
Content Area - Science/Language Arts/Art
Grade Level - First Grade ESL (English as a Second Language)

Aim - Do you know how to Recycle?

Behavioral Objectives - The students will be able to identify various objects that are recyclable. The students will be able to create a collage of magazine pictures showing recyclable items.

Motivational Activity - Show the class actual recyclable materials and ask the students to sort through the items and place them into the correct containers that are already labeled cans, paper, plastic, and glass. Have a class discussion while doing this activity.

Procedure -

1. Motivational Activity
2. Define "To Recycle" (to use again)
3. Define Collage (work of art made from a variety of different forms)
4. Review vocabulary words. (recycle, cans, paper, plastic, glass, collage)
5. Show an object for each Vocabulary word.
6. Divide the class into groups.
7. Each group will make a recycling collage.
8. Distribute the materials to each group: glue, scissors, magazines, oak tag or poster board.
9. Go over "group rules" with the class before allowing the students to begin their activity.
10. Each group will cut out pictures of recycling items and glue them on to the oak tag or poster board.
11. Walk around the room to monitor the activity and give support to the groups that need help.
12. For a writing activity have the students write about recycling and explain why they think it is important to recycle.

Materials - glue, scissors, magazines, oak tag or poster board, recyclable items

Higher Order Thinking Questions -

1. What does the word "recycle" mean?
2. What items do you think are recyclable?
3. Why do we recycle?
4. Can you group the recyclable items?
5. What do you think is done with the recyclable items once they are collected?

Homework - Tell the students to bring in recyclable items. Remind the students to wash out the bottles and cans. They can bring in old newspapers, magazines, etc...We will use these items in our follow up lesson.

Follow-up- Invite the students to help create a "Recycling Center" in the classroom. Where I work now we recycle in the teacher's lunchroom. I am always amazed how many cans we go through in a week.

Math - We can calculate how much we will get in exchange for returning each bottle to a recycling center. For example if we get .5 a can and return 10 cans, How much money will you earn?

Computers - We will go to the Computer Lab and find pictures of recyclable items.

Standards We Are Approaching - 4, The students will listen, speak, read, and write in English for classroom and social interaction. The students will be taking part in a Cooperative Learning activity.