PITCH-IN CANADA
Resource Centre

Re-Think Activities
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. Words in bold and in italics are featured in the glossary which you can reach by clicking here

Skills: using a map, counting

Time: one class period

Learning Objective: students will count the number of garbage cans in the school and consider their necessity; students will be able to identify and use the PITCH-IN symbol.

NOTE: In schools/classrooms with recycling programs, you may wish to do REUSING AND RECYCLING: ACTIVITY 6 instead of this Activity. For information on the PITCH-IN symbol see APPENDIX 3.

Materials and Equipment: map of the school and school grounds, preferably on 11"x 14" paper, one per two students; enlarged copy or overhead projection of the map.

Activity:

1. Introduce the activity by discussing the classroom garbage can:

• Do we need it?
• Why?
• Do you think there are more in the school?
• Where?

2. Provide each student, or pair of students, with a copy of the map. Explain to the students that they will be looking for garbage cans.

3. Show the students the PITCH-IN symbol. Discuss the symbol, what it depicts, and why and how it can be used.

4. Take students on a walk through the school, looking for other garbage cans. In order to not disturb other classes, assume the same number of garbage cans that your class has (usually one or two) for each occupied classroom. On their map, have students mark (using the PITCH-IN symbol) the location of garbage cans that they find, such as in the library, the office, the supply room, etc.

5. Take students on a walk around the playgrounds, looking for garbage cans. Mark these on their maps using the PITCH-IN symbol.

6. In the classroom, on the large map, have students indicate locations of the garbage cans, including the pre-determined number for each occupied classroom.

7. Count up the number of garbage cans.

8. Indicate the number of garbage cans on a number line.

RE…Think

Draw students’ attention to the number of garbage cans found in and around the school.

Discuss:

• Why do we need these garbage cans?
• What would happen to our school environment without them?
• Who empties them?
• What happens to the garbage collected?

If possible, arrange a visit with the school custodian to find out his/her responsibilities in handling the school’s garbage. You may wish to have him/her give a brief talk to the students on how the school’s garbage is handled, and how they can help him/her to do the job properly.

If your school’s garbage cans are not marked with the PITCH-IN symbol, to encourage their use, you may wish to obtain adhesive PITCH-IN decals from PITCH-IN CANADA. Click here for more information.

Click here to return to the Index for Chapter 4 and more activities

Click here to return to the Index for Re-Think