Children Inc. Service Learning Initiative
333 Madison Avenue
Covington, Kentucky 41011
859.431.2075
www.servicelearningnky.org
SERVICE LEARNING PLANNING TOOL
Project Title: Reuse the Shoes
Start Date:
End Date:
School:
District:District:
# Students:
Teacher(s):
Class(es):
Grade
Science
Level(s):
(recycling)
Grade
#Students:
Level(s): 6 - 9
Overview/Description of Project:
Students are concerned about the quality of life in their community and through research, the students
decide to partner with NIKE’s ReUSE A SHOE Program to educate the community about toxic chemicals
being released into the air by throwing away rubber soled shoes (gym shoes).
The students collaborate with partners such as Nike Grind, Burlington Coat Factory, and local schools, to
collect old shoes and recycle them rather than let them sit in landfills emitting toxic chemicals. The
students hope that the recycled rubber material can be used for building a playground for the school
district instead of sitting in a landfill endangering the environment and the communities surrounding it.
Community Partners: Nike Grind, Burlington Coat Factory
Funds/Goods/Services Generated (if applicable): Recycled rubber for playground material
Core Content/Subjects/Interdisciplinary Themes (Check all that apply):
English, Reading or Language Arts
 World Languages
 Arts
Mathematics
 Economics
Science
 Geography
 Health Literacy
Environmental Literacy




History
Government and Civics
Global Awareness
Financial, Economic, Business and
Entrepreneurial Literacy
 Civic Literacy
21st Century Skills (Check all that apply):
Creativity and Innovation
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Communication and Collaboration
 Information Literacy (Access and
Evaluate Information; Use and Manage
Information)
 Media Literacy (Analyze Media; Create
Media Products)
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Information, Communications and
Technology Literacy (Apply and Use
Technology Effectively)
 Flexibility and Adaptability
Initiative and Self-Direction
 Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
 Productivity and Accountability
Leadership and Responsibility
Project-Based Service Learning Planning Tool
Children Inc. Service Learning Initiative
333 Madison Avenue
Covington, Kentucky 41011
859.431.2075
www.servicelearningnky.org
Common Core Content Standards:
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. (MSESS3-4)
Next Generation Science Standards
MS-ESS3-3. Human Impacts Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing
a human impact on the environment.
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions There are systematic processes for evaluating solutions with
respect to how well they meet the criteria and constraints of a problem. (secondary to MS-LS2-5)
Driving Question: How can youth improve the environment by partnering with corporations to create
programs that reuse/recycle products to improve the quality of life in the communities in which they live?
Investigation:
Student research-read news, interview civic leader, survey neighbors, peers, collaborative inquiry of
community issues, class instruction
o
o
Students research project ideas that interest them.
Through research, they investigate the number of shoes annually made compared to the number
of shoes thrown out. Also, they investigate the chemicals involved in making rubber soled shoes
and how it can affect air quality both now and later.
Visit: http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/better-world/reuse-a-shoe and
http://www.nikegrind.com/
Students pinpoint area businesses such as Burlington Coat Factory that will donate damaged
shoes. In addition, students will identify local schools to place collection boxes.
o
o
Preparation:
collaborative problem solving, planning and task assignment by & with the students
o
Students determine which tasks they will be assigned to (design donation boxes, create
PowerPoint presentation and educational flyers, etc.)
Students create donation boxes for the shoes that will be placed at area schools and businesses.
Students arrange a rotating pick-up schedule for donations.
o
o
Action:
What social issue, community need addressed? Direct service, Advocacy, or Education focus?
o
Students create flyers, posters, and informational materials to teach others about the damage
rubber soled shoes causes the environment.
Students collect old, used gym shoes that are recycled into playground material by Nike Grind
Program.
o
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Project-Based Service Learning Planning Tool
Children Inc. Service Learning Initiative
333 Madison Avenue
Covington, Kentucky 41011
859.431.2075
www.servicelearningnky.org
Reflection:
ongoing within project-measure & assess knowledge, skills, growth
o
Students write reflections discussing the impact the project has made on them and the possible
impact to the community.
Students calculate the amount of rubber collected versus how much they need to make a
playground. Students continue to collect rubber and track their results until they reach the
desired outcome.
o
Demonstration:
Demonstration of knowledge & growth/Celebration of learning and service outreach
o
Students create a descriptive PowerPoint to present to the public that includes research,
statistics, pictures, and written reflections.
Students may want to consider making a video about their project to reach a larger audience.
Students serve as peer tutors to teach younger children what they learned through their
experience and inspire them to become the latest environmentalists.
o
o
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Project-Based Service Learning Planning Tool