Educational Resources for Teachers
Classroom Lessons
These lessons were created or adopted to help promote composting, recycling and zero waste. They were designed to target specific grade levels but can be tailored to reach any grade level. Lessons can be customized to meet the needs of a specific school or class. School Zero Waste Coordinators are continually adapting and updating school curriculum to target the needs of all ages and abilities in member districts. Lessons have been adapted to meet Core Curriculum standards for each age group. For more information or to schedule a lesson, please contact John Jose, School Zero Waste Coordinator, at 802.229.9383 (Ext 111) or johnj@cvswmd.org.
Why Should I Compost? K-1st
Students are introduced to diverting food scraps from the garbage can. Students will investigate what happens to organic material in nature with hands on outdoor activities, practice sorting out food scraps from garbage, and experience finished compost through sight, smell, and touch.
Why Should I Recycle? 2nd-4th
Students will be introduced to the concept and practice of recycling and the importance to their lives and the Earth. They will also learn what items can and cannot be recycled in central Vermont. Students will create their own paper from recycled paper scraps and/or reuse magazines to create paper beads.
The Trash Journey 4th-6th
To introduce students to landfills and what happens to the things we throw away. This lesson explains how landfills work and the environmental risks associated with landfills. There is also a brief history of landfills in the State of Vermont. Students are engaged in a trash sorting activity to help determine what kind of materials can be recycled or what materials are bound for a landfill.
Wrap It Up! An Investigation of Packaging 6th-8th
Students use observation skills to analyze packaging of everyday items through the lens of waste reduction. Main takeaways from this lesson include natural resource and environmental conservation through waste and litter reduction. Students will learn to identify the wastes created by packaging, determine what kinds of packaging can be recycled and ways to reduce packaging waste.
The Away Project 7th-12th
By carrying their waste around for a week, students will learn the true weight and burden of the waste they produce. CVSWMD will lead an introductory lesson on what happens to the things we landfill, compost and recycle. At the end of the week, CVSWMD and students will sort through what has been collected and analyze the materials.
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.
These lessons were created or adopted to help promote composting, recycling and zero waste. They were designed to target specific grade levels but can be tailored to reach any grade level. Lessons can be customized to meet the needs of a specific school or class. School Zero Waste Coordinators are continually adapting and updating school curriculum to target the needs of all ages and abilities in member districts. Lessons have been adapted to meet Core Curriculum standards for each age group. For more information or to schedule a lesson, please contact John Jose, School Zero Waste Coordinator, at 802.229.9383 (Ext 111) or johnj@cvswmd.org.
Why Should I Compost? K-1st
Students are introduced to diverting food scraps from the garbage can. Students will investigate what happens to organic material in nature with hands on outdoor activities, practice sorting out food scraps from garbage, and experience finished compost through sight, smell, and touch.
Why Should I Recycle? 2nd-4th
Students will be introduced to the concept and practice of recycling and the importance to their lives and the Earth. They will also learn what items can and cannot be recycled in central Vermont. Students will create their own paper from recycled paper scraps and/or reuse magazines to create paper beads.
The Trash Journey 4th-6th
To introduce students to landfills and what happens to the things we throw away. This lesson explains how landfills work and the environmental risks associated with landfills. There is also a brief history of landfills in the State of Vermont. Students are engaged in a trash sorting activity to help determine what kind of materials can be recycled or what materials are bound for a landfill.
Wrap It Up! An Investigation of Packaging 6th-8th
Students use observation skills to analyze packaging of everyday items through the lens of waste reduction. Main takeaways from this lesson include natural resource and environmental conservation through waste and litter reduction. Students will learn to identify the wastes created by packaging, determine what kinds of packaging can be recycled and ways to reduce packaging waste.
The Away Project 7th-12th
By carrying their waste around for a week, students will learn the true weight and burden of the waste they produce. CVSWMD will lead an introductory lesson on what happens to the things we landfill, compost and recycle. At the end of the week, CVSWMD and students will sort through what has been collected and analyze the materials.
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.
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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