Vocabulary Lesson: Recycling
Day 1:
Activity:
Choose and Read a book that introduces how litter can have a negative impact on
animals and the environment, and introduces the purpose of recycling.
Submitted By: Athens 1 & 3
Key Learning Area: Scientific Thinking, Language Arts
ELS Addressed:
4.3 Environmental Health-Identify how litter can have a negative impact
on animals and the environment
1.1.4 Comprehension and Interpretation-draw connections between story
events and personal experiences
Materials: Book - Earth Day, Birthday!
Written by Maureen Wright (Local Children’s Author from Athens that has visited the class and
read to our children).
Illustrated by Violet Kim
Procedures:
Ask the children what they know about the following words and record the responses for future
reference with regard to knowledge gained (KWL Chart) Ex: “What do you know about
recycling?” “What can you recycle?” Continue with the other words.
*Earth Day
*Recycle
*Reuse
*Litter
Read the book to the children. Continue with the same book throughout the week inviting the
children to help with the repetitive sentences.
Continue throughout the week with other activities that relate to the topic and vocabulary words
introduced.
Day 2
Activity:
Choose songs, as an ongoing activity, that relates to the topic and vocabulary
words introduced with the book, Earth Day, Birthday! (Written by Maureen Wright and
illustrated by Violet Kim)
Submitted By: Athens 1 & 3
Key Learning Area: Scientific Thinking, Creative Arts
ELS Addressed: 4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable resources –Identify
objects that can be recycled
9.1a.1-Aesthetic Response – Respond to different forms of music and
dance through participation and discussion
Materials:
Compact Disc- Garbage Monster and Recycle by Tom Knight
(Local Children’s Musician and Puppeteer from Ithaca, NY)
Procedures:
Review the vocabulary words: Earth Day – Recycle – Reuse – Litter
Example: Ask the children, “What do you wonder about Earth Day?” Continue with the other
words.
Introduce the two songs to the children. Encourage them to sing along and use creative
movements to accompany the songs.
The songs we chose encourage recycling habits, in a fun way, which captures children’s
attention.
Day 3
Activity:
Choose a hands-on activity that relates to the book, Earth Day, Birthday! (Written
by local author Maureen Wright and illustrated by Violet Kim)
Submitted By: Athens 1 & 3
Key Learning Area: Scientific Thinking, Mathematical Thinking
ELS Addressed: 4.2 – Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources –
Identify objects that can be recycled and discuss the purpose of recycling
2.1.6 – Concepts and Applications of Operations – Sort Objects by two
or more attributes
Materials:
*Recycle Bin (Small storage tote works)
*Reuse Bag (Decorate and label a bag)
*Small Trash Can (Make one out of cardstock or use a small bucket)
*Recyclables, trash, and items that can be reused
Procedures:
Review the vocabulary words: Earth Day- Recycle – Reuse - Litter
Gather several assorted items to sort into the 3 containers
Place items in a pile in the center of the group
Line up the recycle bin, reuse bag and trash can
Encourage each child to take a turn choosing an item from the pile and placing it in one of the
containers
The entire group discusses whether it is the best choice or should go in a different container
The children brainstormed many ideas for reusing items in many different ways at home and at
school.
Transition Activity to extend this activity:
Ask each child to locate one item in the classroom that has been reused for a different purpose
Day 4
Activity:
Choose a hands-on activity that relates to the book, Earth Day, Birthday! (Written
by local author Maureen Wright and illustrated by Violet Kim)
Submitted By: Athens 1 & 3
Key Learning Area: Scientific Thinking, Mathematical Thinking
ELS Addressed: 4.3 – environmental Health –Identify how litter can
have a negative impact on animals and the environment
Materials:
*Orange Safety Vests (PA DOT will provide these)
*Safety Cones
*Garbage Bags
Procedures:
Review the vocabulary words: Earth Day – Recycle – Reuse – Litter
Ask the children, “What have you learned about Litter?” Continue with the other words. Assess
knowledge from the responses.
Talk with the children about litter
Discuss Safety Rules to follow while outside doing this activity (ex: if the children see glass -let
an adult handle it)
Children will look for litter on the ground and place it in a garbage container
When finished discuss what kind of items were littered around the outside of our building
Ex: Aluminum, Paper, Cardboard, Cans, Cigarette Butts etc.
From this experience, the word litter bug became a favorite word, and the children are ready to
tell anyone caught littering, that they are a litterbug!