Classroom Waste

Downloadable (1 PDF - 5 pages) 

In this lesson, which is ideal for grades 4 and 5, students will have an opportunity to see what kind of classroom garbage and waste is produced and how long it would take for similar garbage to decompose in a landfill. After watching a video on recycling, students will come up with ways to reduce their impact on the environment through the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle)

After completing this lesson, students will understand:

• How waste impacts the environment
• What steps can be taken to reduce, reuse, recycle

Resources included:

• Lesson plan

• Chart with decomposition rates

Additional resources required:

• Picture of landfill

• Samples of garbage/garbage to sort