Educational Resources for Teachers
Classroom Lessons
Designed to engage students in developing an understanding of, and engaging in, living more sustainably on the Earth. Following Zero Waste principles, lessons cover diverting food waste from landfills (via strategies to reduce food waste, feeding people in need, composting, etc.) recycling (both "blue bin" and harder-to-recycle items), and repurposing, reducing, reusing, and rethinking. If interested in a topic related to solid waste management, which is not covered in the offerings below, please inquire.
Contact John Jose, School Zero Waste Coordinator, 802.461.9246 or johnj@cvswmd.org.
What Happens to That Banana Peel? (Composting at School) - 1st Grade
Students are introduced to food scraps as a natural resource for creating compost. This lesson incorporates: A topic-related book reading for an opener; a hands-on investigation of compost through sight, smell, and touch; the opportunity to meet and observe red wigglers (composting worms); and weather permitting, an outdoor investigation in search of "compost in nature" (decomposition) and decomposers and other small critters.
Sorting It All Out! (Classroom and Cafeteria Waste Separation) - Kindergarten
Students are introduced to classroom and cafeteria waste separation. This lesson incorporates: A topic-related book reading for an opener; a demonstration of waste separation using clean "trash", recyclables, and simulated food scraps; and students breaking into small groups to practice waste separation with provided kits and receptacles. Participating classrooms receive Super Sorter! certificates of recognition and each student gets a Super Sorter sticker. Optional: A folder of take-home materials, including a letter to parents/guardians, hand-outs on recycling, and follow-up worksheets for parents/guardians to engage students at home.
Staying Sustainable at Home and in School - "Blue Bin" Recycling in Vermont - Upper Elementary to HS
Recycling is part of living sustainably. Recognizing the complexities of "Blue Bin" recycling, this program is broken down into 3 slideshows (glass/metal, plastics, and paper) to take a deeper dive, which includes benefits and limitations of recycling and "bigger picture" concepts, while also incorporating the other "Rs": Reusing, Repurposing, Reducing, and Rethinking how we manage our waste. A simple quiz/review and certificates of completion for students can be included. Each presentation runs ~ 25 minutes, plus time for Q & A and quiz. Can be provided in classroom or virtually, including to multiple classrooms simultaneously.
Recycling Relays - All ages
After an intro on separating trash, recycling and food waste, students run recycling relays in teams. Can take place indoors (e.g. gymnasium) or outdoors where there is space. After a relay has been run, results are reviewed with students. Can be run additional times to offer the opportunity to correct mistakes and learn waste separation through repetition, and to provide the opportunity to move around and get some exercise. Can be used as a capstone for "Blue Bin Recycling in Vermont" 3-part series (see above). This video provides an idea of how this activity works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9CYZvtKxyU
Paper Making
Students engage in a hands-on activity, making recycled paper from paper scraps. Requires electrical outlet, to run a blender, and a source of water. Water may end up on the floor, something to keep in mind, when considering a space to use. Can be done outdoors,
if an outlet is available and students have surfaces (e.g. picnic tables) to work on. Useful to have students engaged simultaneously in another activity, since this program involves working with one small group at a time. Note: Paper has to dry, at least overnight, before being used.
Finding and Using Scientific Information to Help Protect the Earth
Slide presentation with a focus is on how CVSWMD obtains and then works to transfer, science-based info to people within our solid waste district and beyond.
Additional Programming:
Do the Rot Thing: A Teacher’s Guide to Compost Activities
This activity booklet, originally produced by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (CA), includes classroom activities and student project ideas.
Designed to engage students in developing an understanding of, and engaging in, living more sustainably on the Earth. Following Zero Waste principles, lessons cover diverting food waste from landfills (via strategies to reduce food waste, feeding people in need, composting, etc.) recycling (both "blue bin" and harder-to-recycle items), and repurposing, reducing, reusing, and rethinking. If interested in a topic related to solid waste management, which is not covered in the offerings below, please inquire.
Contact John Jose, School Zero Waste Coordinator, 802.461.9246 or johnj@cvswmd.org.
What Happens to That Banana Peel? (Composting at School) - 1st Grade
Students are introduced to food scraps as a natural resource for creating compost. This lesson incorporates: A topic-related book reading for an opener; a hands-on investigation of compost through sight, smell, and touch; the opportunity to meet and observe red wigglers (composting worms); and weather permitting, an outdoor investigation in search of "compost in nature" (decomposition) and decomposers and other small critters.
Sorting It All Out! (Classroom and Cafeteria Waste Separation) - Kindergarten
Students are introduced to classroom and cafeteria waste separation. This lesson incorporates: A topic-related book reading for an opener; a demonstration of waste separation using clean "trash", recyclables, and simulated food scraps; and students breaking into small groups to practice waste separation with provided kits and receptacles. Participating classrooms receive Super Sorter! certificates of recognition and each student gets a Super Sorter sticker. Optional: A folder of take-home materials, including a letter to parents/guardians, hand-outs on recycling, and follow-up worksheets for parents/guardians to engage students at home.
Staying Sustainable at Home and in School - "Blue Bin" Recycling in Vermont - Upper Elementary to HS
Recycling is part of living sustainably. Recognizing the complexities of "Blue Bin" recycling, this program is broken down into 3 slideshows (glass/metal, plastics, and paper) to take a deeper dive, which includes benefits and limitations of recycling and "bigger picture" concepts, while also incorporating the other "Rs": Reusing, Repurposing, Reducing, and Rethinking how we manage our waste. A simple quiz/review and certificates of completion for students can be included. Each presentation runs ~ 25 minutes, plus time for Q & A and quiz. Can be provided in classroom or virtually, including to multiple classrooms simultaneously.
Recycling Relays - All ages
After an intro on separating trash, recycling and food waste, students run recycling relays in teams. Can take place indoors (e.g. gymnasium) or outdoors where there is space. After a relay has been run, results are reviewed with students. Can be run additional times to offer the opportunity to correct mistakes and learn waste separation through repetition, and to provide the opportunity to move around and get some exercise. Can be used as a capstone for "Blue Bin Recycling in Vermont" 3-part series (see above). This video provides an idea of how this activity works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9CYZvtKxyU
Paper Making
Students engage in a hands-on activity, making recycled paper from paper scraps. Requires electrical outlet, to run a blender, and a source of water. Water may end up on the floor, something to keep in mind, when considering a space to use. Can be done outdoors,
if an outlet is available and students have surfaces (e.g. picnic tables) to work on. Useful to have students engaged simultaneously in another activity, since this program involves working with one small group at a time. Note: Paper has to dry, at least overnight, before being used.
Finding and Using Scientific Information to Help Protect the Earth
Slide presentation with a focus is on how CVSWMD obtains and then works to transfer, science-based info to people within our solid waste district and beyond.
Additional Programming:
Do the Rot Thing: A Teacher’s Guide to Compost Activities
This activity booklet, originally produced by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (CA), includes classroom activities and student project ideas.
| do_the_rot_thing_cvswmd1.pdf |
Spinning Scraps into Soil: Classroom Activities Using a Compost Tumbler
This CVSWMD booklet was developed to support school efforts with on-site composting by using the composting process as a means to scientific inquiry. The booklet draws on activities developed and/or published by Cornell University. Although designed for use with a tumbler compost unit, most of the activities can be adapted for use with traditional backyard bins.
This CVSWMD booklet was developed to support school efforts with on-site composting by using the composting process as a means to scientific inquiry. The booklet draws on activities developed and/or published by Cornell University. Although designed for use with a tumbler compost unit, most of the activities can be adapted for use with traditional backyard bins.
| spinningscrapsbooklet2010.pdf |
Supporting Documents
School Zero Waste Wish List
From the classroom to the cafeteria, upgrade your schools waste reduction potential by following these guidelines.
School Zero Waste Wish List
From the classroom to the cafeteria, upgrade your schools waste reduction potential by following these guidelines.
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Activities & Coloring Pages
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Books
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Videos
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