1 of 8

River Cleanup School Program - Step 1:

Content table

  • Lecture 1
  • 10 min Cleanup
  • Collection
  • River Cleanup Impact Wall
  • Tutorial: How to upload your pictures

​

2 of 8

Lecture 1: Practical

Action in summary:

Teacher inspires students by presenting the story of River Cleanup based on slides.

​

Material:

Printed slides

​

Preparation:

Teacher reads through the slides so she/he can tell the story fluently. Beneath every slide didactic support (extra information + questions to ask the students) has been added for the teacher.

​

Action:

The teacher presents the printed slides one by one. The teacher adjusts to the age of the students by selecting the right information (e.g. simplification for younger children, more details for older children). The teacher interacts with the students and uses her/his own words and skills to inspire the students with the story of River Cleanup. If the classroom is equipped with a television or beamer, additional videos of River Cleanup can be shown (see below). The teacher takes minimum one group picture of the classroom with the children holding the posters.

​

After:

  1. Fill in self evaluation form (see sheet on webpage)
  2. Upload one group picture per lecture on the webpage (see tutorial on last slide). On the picture the students hold the posters.

​

Extra:

The next short videos about River Cleanup can be shown to the students:

3 of 8

Step 1- 10 min Cleanup: Practical

Action in summary:

Teacher organizes a 10 min cleanup with (a) class(es) within or next to school premises.

​

Material:

  • One pair of gloves per student
  • One bag per 2 students
  • Balance

​

Preparation:

Teacher walks around the school to define a safe route to walk with students. A cleanup is only undertaken if all the next conditions are fulfilled.

Conditions for a 10 min cleanup:

​

  • The cleanup zone is scouted by the teacher for safety before the action.
  • A cleanup is never organized in a zone with dangerous traffic/ active machinery.
  • A safety perimeter of 2m from traffic can be guaranteed everywhere.
  • Per 20 students at least one teacher is guiding the group, 2 teachers are recommended if possible.
  • The teacher reflects about the feasibility of going out with her/his group of students. If several students have serious behavior problems and authority/ rules are not respected a 10 min cleanup is impossible.
  • The maximum group for a 10 min cleanup is 40 students, guided by minimum 2 teachers.

​

4 of 8

Step 1- 10 min Cleanup: Practical

​

Action:

Before the action, a safety briefing is given to the students in the classroom:

​

  • The focus during a 10 min cleanup is always on safety. Safety first, Plastic second;
  • Students stay closely together in one pack;
  • Always respect the traffic rules;
  • Gloves are always worn on both hands during the action;
  • Dangerous or sharp objects are always left behind and are not touched;
  • In case of an injury, immediately address the coördinator for disinfection.
  • Heavy objects are only removed if this can be done in an ergonomical way;
  • Bottles or jars of liquid are never opened;
  • Never take a risk to get a piece of litter;
  • Keep your students close and out of the water;
  • Always wash your hands after a cleanup/before eating or drinking

​

​

After the briefing the teacher hands over one pair of gloves per student and one bag per two students.

The teacher takes a picture of the class. Energy in the picture (hands in the air) is always a bonus!

The teacher walks out with their class and cleans an area around the school building. During the 10minutes cleanup the safety measures are strictly followed up by teachers.

5 of 8

Step 1- 10 min Cleanup: Practical

After:

​

  • Collected waste is sorted and weighted before disposal
  • Gloves are collected, counted and handed over to the Leading Teacher for the next cleanup.
  • Dirty gloves are washed and dried for future use
  • Hands are washed with soap and water
  • Fill in the self evaluation form
  • One picture per cleanup is uploaded on webpage

6 of 8

Step 1- Collection: Practical

Action in summary:

Students collect PET-bottles in EcoBin or big bag.

​

Material:

  • EcoBin or big bags

​

Preparation:

Teacher installs an EcoBin within school premises. Teacher is aware of the collection system (explained during visit River Cleanup Coordinator) and keeps track of progress.

​

Action:

Teacher explains that only transparent plastic drinking bottles (PET plastic) are collected.

​

After:

  • fill in the total amount of kg collected in the self evaluation form
  • upload one picture per filled EcoBin

​

Pick-up of big bags

  • when the EcoBin is full, please contact your River School Coordinator for pick-up
  • In the meantime you can use a (second) big bag

7 of 8

Step 1- River Cleanup Impact Wall

Action in summary:

Teacher & students create a River Cleanup impact wall.

Material:

general craft material

Preparation:

Teacher searches for a nice and visible spot for the impact wall.

Action:

The teacher creates an impact wall in or outside the classroom where pictures and results of the school’s actions are shown. The goal is to recognize the students' efforts and to inspire and motivate other students. The teacher and students are encouraged to use their creativity. Any content about River Cleanup, plastic pollution, solutions, recycling, beauty of nature,.. can be used to further decorate this wall: art, craft, information about river cleanup/ plastic pollution, nature,...

After:

  • fill in the self evaluation form
  • upload one picture of the Impact Wall on the webpage

8 of 8

Tutorial: How to upload your pictures

  1. Open the webpage of your school

​

  1. At bottom left of the page (green arrow), upload your pictures