Following the Trail of Garbage
SPRING, 2006-2007
First Graders followed the trail of garbage from their classroom to all of the places it goes. They sorted the garbage in the classroom, visited places that handle garbage, and talked to sanitation experts. Next, they found out what happens when garbage ends up in the natural world.
Students explored pond, river, and forest habitats. They learned about the animals living there and the effect that garbage has on their habitats. In the final investigation of this expedition, students explored how to protect the natural world by reducing, reusing, and recycling garbage.
For their final product, students will performed an adapted version of Dr. Seuss's story The Lorax. The performance had characters like the Great Stone (remember him?) and the animals that students had researched. To practice the principle of reusing and recycling, the scenery was made from found objects. At the end of the play, students presented a pamphlet they had written about recycling.
