REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE
A Problem-Based Learning Activity
By: Maggie Donohoe
Driving Question:
How can we reduce plastic waste in the cafeteria at Washington Elementary?
Lesson Objectives
Objectives:
1(B) identify and learn how to use natural resources and materials, including conservation and reuse or recycling of paper, plastic, and metals.
2(B) plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations;
2(E) communicate observations and provide reasons for explanations using student-generated data from simple descriptive investigations.
3(A) identify and explain a problem and propose a solution;
Duration: 2 Weeks
Grade Level: 1st Grade
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Plastic waste has become a hot topic of debate the past 3 years in the USA. States like California have been proactive and have banned plastic straws in most establishments. How can Washington Elementary reduce their plastic waste in the cafeteria to help our environment and help clean up our oceans?
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Who is involved in this project?
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Engagement: Our Why
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Lesson Timeline
Day 1
-Engagement Picture
-Introduce tally chart to the students to gather data of how much plastic waste is used in 1 week in the cafeteria
-Establish student groups for project and come up with project rules/expectations to create a class rubric
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Day 2
-Students continue to collect data on plastic use in cafeteria
-Students conduct research in groups in the library on what to use other than plastic
-Students will use makerspace materials (foil, wood, dried pasta, paper, recycled cardboard) to test out some “alternatives” they brainstorm as a group.Through experimentation, students will answer the questions in groups:
-What materials still hold up in water?
-What materials can hold extra weight?
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Day 3 & 4
-Students will continue to tally plastic waste used in the cafeteria
-The teacher will check in with each group’s alternative idea to plastic. Student progress will be uploaded by a group member through the class dojo app into the class stream. This will allow the teacher to see progress in each project as it is happening.
-Students will begin to write first draft of their “Unplastic Idea” presentation with their groups
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Day 5
-Collect final day’s worth of data in the cafeteria of plastic waste
-Students will continue to work on group presentation
-Ask an expert: Students will listen to recycling expert from the city of Sherman explain what happens to plastic when it is recycled vs. thrown away in the trash.
-Students will retell the recycling process on the app “Show Me” on their iPad for formative assessment.
-Students will rotate in daily stations to listen to each group’s retelling of the city of Sherman presentation in the Show me App. They will reflect on each presentation in their writing journals by answering the questions:
-What information did the group include in their summary?
-Did you feel that they did a good job at explaining? Why or why not?
-What other information would you have included?
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Day 6
-Students will create a classroom graph of findings from their tally sheets in the cafeteria. Connections will be explored and students will analyze data in groups.
-Ask an Expert! Students will listen to presentation from the Director of Hagerman Wildlife Refuge (a government protected wildlife refuge). He will share pictures of plastic waste in animal habitats and in the natural lakes/rivers on the property. Students will be able to ask questions on how it will affect the animal’s habitats to reduce plastic waste.
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Day 7
-Students will meet with the Director of Food Service for Sherman ISD to discuss how much plastic is being used on a weekly basis in the cafeteria.
-Director of Food Service will provide this Cost Graph of how much the district is spending weekly on plastic supplies for Washington Elementary.
-Students will research prices of their alternative materials to see if they will be spending more/less than the district.
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Day 8
-Mrs. Donohoe’s class will skype with another first grade class in California whose school recently banned plastic from their cafeteria.
-Students will be able to ask questions on what alternatives they are using instead of plastic, how the students are liking it, if they are making a difference in the amount of trash produced each week, etc.
- Mrs. Donohoe’s class will collaborate on a skype summary of the California grade school skype session and summarize findings for final reports.
-Work on final projects begin!
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Day 9-12
-Students will complete final projects using these guidelines and expectations.
-Students will also be expected to complete a Google Slides presentation to compliment their final project. This will be done in Google Classroom so that the teacher is able to monitor and assess progress as students are working. Students will follow this rubric for their Google Slide expectations.
-On Day 13 student groups will present their projects to the class and Director of Food Services for Sherman ISD
-Using the final presentations as a guide, permanent changes will be made in the cafeteria at Washington Elementary to reduce plastic waste.
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Day 13:Student Reflection
Students will reflect on their final project.
After students reflect, we will have a carpet meeting where students will share their ideas and thoughts.
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