The Magazine Bag or coaster
Eco-Schools Topic:
Consumption and Waste
Grade Level:
Grades K-3
Standards:
Earth Pattern, Cycles and Change
5.7g human impact
Guiding Question:
How can we reduce, reuse and
recycle our “trash?”
Lesson Objectives:
Students will…
1. Learn the negative
implications of waste.
2. Realize that “trash” can
be repurposed into useful
items.
3. Understand the basic
differences between
reduce, reuse and recycle.
4. Be creative and have fun
Materials:
o Hole Punch
o Magazines
o String
o Stapler
Engaging INTRO
o Pose questions to the students to see what they already know
o Who knows what the 3Rs, are?
o What do we consider to be “trash?”
Exploratory ACTIVITY
o Make a Magazine Bag
o Most Beginner (K-3)
o Rip off two pieces of magazine paper (to make it less flimsy) and fold tabs
in on all 4 sides (to make for even sides). Do this twice (for both sides of
the bag).
o Con nect the two sides of the magazine bag by stapling the sides and the
bottom and leaving the top open.
o Hole punch twice at the top so there are 4 total hole punches
o Cut two pieces of string and use one for each side of the bag.
o Make an individual knot on each side of the string (4 knots to keep string
from slipping out of holes).
o More advanced Magazine Coasters
Links & Resources:
Prezi Presentation
How to Make A Cereal Box Folder
What can and can’t be recycled in
the county?
http://www.fcps.edu/is/science/
get2green/documents/FCPSRecyc
lesList.pdf
http://www.fcps.edu/fts/facmana
gement/paperglassmetal.shtml
Have questions? Contact recycling
coordinator,
Scott.Larson@fcps.edu
703-764-2459
With a little bit of knowledge, we can ESLI make a difference
Expanding the DISCUSSION
Use prezi powerpoint or explain using guide below
o How does making cereal box folders help the environment?
o How can we use “trash” to make something useful?
o What is the difference between reduce, reuse, and recycle? What is the ideal option?
o Reduce (Best): Choose not to use in use in the first place (buy less)
o Reuse: Buy something once and use it a lot
o Ex. Starbuck’s recyclable $1 Cup
o Reusable water bottle
o Recycle: The end of one item means the beginning of another!
o Ex. Compost, Cereal Boxes  Folders
o Last option: Recycling Bin
o Very last option (Worst): Trash Can
What are the problems with trash? What are some of the negative effects of consumption/waste? Where does
trash go?
1. More money (to buy new things)
2. More pollution (trash in landfill/ incinerator)
3. More energy (all the steps to get to trash dump).
What do you do to reduce your waste?
o What do you ( K-8 students) do in your community to decrease your waste?
o What is a change you will make in your lifestyle to reduce your waste?
Evaluate WHAT’S BEEN LEARNED:
o Assessment: Instructor cuts recycled (preferably colored) paper into fourths, and have each student write
their personal goal to achieve the 3 Rs on the back of their paper. Display student responses in classroom (if
able include a picture of student with their recyclable folder or group photo).
Additional Information:

With a little bit of knowledge, we can ESLI make a difference