30 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Pre-K
-
Minutes
PDF Guide
1st
Through hands-on activities, students will be introduced to the
concepts of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. They will understand why and
how to institute these behaviors in their daily lives, with a focus on
learning what can and cannot go in the blue recycling bin in Norfolk.
Program Details Supplies Needed
Bin to hold recycling
Targeted SOLs
Bin to hold trash
English K.1.d, K.1.f, K.1.i, K.2, K.7.b,
Box of common household
K.7, K.7.h, K7.d, K.5.b, K.8.b
recyclables and trash (clean and dry)
Science K.1.b, K.1.c, K.11.a, K.11.b
Answer key for recyclable/non-
Math K.12
recyclable items (included)
Program Outline
1. Introduce The 3R’s - Vocab and Dance
Reduce
Dance Move: Hold arms out to either side, like carrying a big box. Say “Reduce,
Reduce, Reduce” and each time bring hands closer together, like making
something smaller.
Discussion: What does it mean to reduce? Does reduce mean we use less?
Reuse
Dance Move: “Reuse, Reuse, Reuse” – motion is like stirring a big pot, hands are
clasped and fingers are interlaced. Each time you say Reuse, make a big stirring
motion.
Discussion: What does it mean to reuse? Can you reuse a backpack? Can you
reuse a lunchbox? Can you reuse a water bottle?
Recycle
Dance Move: “Recycle, Recycle, Recycle” – move fist over fist in a circular motion
like the disco dance!
Discussion: What does it mean to recycle? Does recycling mean putting the right
things in the blue bin?
Repeat the dance until the students are familiar with the moves.
1/2
2. Play ‘Is It Recyclable’
1. Place the bin of mixed recyclable and non-recyclable items at the front of
the room.
2. Ask one student at a time to come and hold up an item from the bin.
3. Ask the student(s) what the item is made from and which bin it belongs in.
4. Briefly explain why the item belongs in which bin, using the answer key.
3. Explain
Explain that we are focusing on what can be put into the blue bin in the
City of Norfolk. Some cities recycle differently than Norfolk. Some items
cannot go in the blue bin but can still be recycled through a special
process--given the age group, we focus just on what can and can't go in
the blue bin in the City of Norfolk.
Explain that not all types of plastic can be recycled in Norfolk, even if
they display the recycling symbol. Plastic must have a long neck for the
recycling machines to correctly sort it.
Some items can be reused instead of thrown away/recycled. We should
always try to reuse before discarding. Ask the students to suggest ways
certain items can be reused (remind the students of the reuse dance
move).
Explain that plastic bags should never be put into the blue recycling bin
at home because they can break the machinery at the recycling facility.
Instead plastic bags should be taken back to the grocery store to be
recycled (unless the school does plastic bag collection), reused (like for
picnics or for pet messes), or thrown away.
4. Supplemental Activities and Conclusion
Time permitting, see Supplemental Activities section.
Conclude
1. Remind students that the actions they take make a difference. By using the
3R’s and sharing them with friends and family, we can help our planet.
2. Thank students for listening.
2/2
Supplemental Activities for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Recycling Race
1. Set up one recycling bin and one trash bin far enough away that the students can run to them.
2. Have each student take a turn by grabbing one item and running it to the correct bin.
You can set a timer to encourage students to place as many items in the bins as possible.
You can allow each student to have a set amount of turns.
You can allow the students to play until all items have been placed in the bins.
3. Once the game is over, check each bin and explain any mistakes.
4. Play again if time allows so that students can learn from any mistakes.
Litter Education
1. What is litter?
Is it trash that is on the ground outside?
Is it trash that is in a trash can?
2. Where should litter go?
3. What can we do to help?
Can you take a bag when you go to the park to put trash in it?
Can you make sure your trash goes in a trash can?
4. Discuss Shared Spaces
Help students identify places they share with other people (parks/playgrounds, streets,
sidewalks, parking lots, etc.)
Discuss how litter affects the spaces we share with others. We wouldn’t be happy if
someone came into our yard and threw their trash in it.
5. Spread trash and recycling out on ground. Discuss with students how they would feel if they
were playing in that space with all the trash.
6. Challenge students to pickup and sort the trash. Team work!
7. Check the recycling to see what they got right and explain what shouldn’t be in the recycling.
RECYCLE RIGHT
PAPER BOTTLES CANS GLASS CARTONS
Flattened Cardboard, Plastic Bottle & Jugs Aluminum & Steel Bottles & Jars Food & Beverage
Newpapers, (empty, rinse and (empty and rinse) (empty, rinse and Cartons
Magazines, & Mail remove cap) remove cap) (empty, rinse and
remove cap)
NO
No Plastic Bags No Styrofoam or No Pizza Boxes No Glass Dishes No Scrap Metal No Shredded No Cords, Hoses,
Clam Shells Paper Ropes or Tanglers
(carryout materials)
[Link]/knb