PITCH-IN CANADA
 Resource Centre

Re-Think
An educational Unit for children up to Grade 4
 Written by Valerie Thom, B.Ed. and edited by Allard W. van Veen, APR, Fellow, CPRS

This unit has six chapters, each filled with information, ideas and projects.

CHAPTER 5 - REUSING AND RECYCLING

  1. About this theme
  2. Learning objectives
  3. Activities

 

1. About this theme

In this theme section, students will look at alternatives to garbage disposal. Reusing and recycling are not new ides, but have only recently become truly viable options for post-consumer, household wastes in many areas of Canada.

As of this writing, standard definitions for words such as reusable and recyclable are being debated by industry, government, and consumer groups. The generally accepted definitions to distinguish between the use of the two words, reuse and recycle, is that reuse means to find another use for an item, without having to alter or reprocess it whereas recycling involves reprocessing the item, either into the same or a different item. Reusable items include containers that are returnable and refillable. To some, an item can only be considered, and thus labelled, recyclable, if the technology and infrastructure for recycling the item exists now and is conveniently available to most consumers; to others it means that the item is potentially recyclable, but the technology and infrastructure to recycle the item may not be readily available, or only available in limited markets.

At the primary level, it is not necessary for the students to understand the nuances of definitions of these terms; a general understanding of reuse and recycle is sufficient. The emphasis should be on realizing that used items do not always have to be thrown away, but can often be reused or recycled, using existing programs or systems available in the community, and that, by doing so, we are conserving valuable resources, be they renewable or non-renewable.

2. Learning Objectives

This theme section includes the following major learning objectives:

Knowledge

1.    Students will suggest reasons for reusing and recycling.
2.    Students will be able to identify and explain the use of the recycling and the PITCH-IN symbol.
3.    Students will be able to identify reusable and non-reusable items.
4.    Students will be able to identify reusable, recyclable, refillable, and compostable items.
5.    Students will be able to describe their classroom’s/school’s/community’s recycling program, as  applicable.
6.    Students will list the items accepted in their community’s recycling program, and describe how  those items should be prepared for recycling, as applicable.
7.    Students will use a practical example (their own lunches) to examine how they can reuse and  recycle.
8.    Students will learn how to compost organic wastes.

Skills

1. Students will use a simulation game.
2. Students will sort, group, and make sets and subsets.
3. Students will make posters, a mural, and a model.
4. Students will design, draw, and colour.
5. Students will count and follow-the-dots to 8.
6. Students will use a map.
7. Students will measure weight and volume.

Attitudes

1. Students will develop an awareness of the importance of the recycling symbol to consumers.
2. Students will develop an awareness of the importance of reusing and recycling in conserving   natural resources.
3. Students will develop an awareness of the importance of recycling and reusing in reducing the  amount of garbage entering the solid waste stream.
4. Students will reconsider their attitudes towards using/owning pre-owned items.

3.    Activities

 

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