Lesson summary
Children explore some of the ways waste can be harmful for plants and animals in our environment. They consider how plants and animals might think and feel about waste and litter, before working together to clean up the waste. They make connections with the importance of recycling.
Learning goals:
- Children understand that things have different properties and are made of different materials.
- Children understand how to sort waste between recycling and landfill.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Learning Outcome 1:
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- 1.2 Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and sense of agency
Learning Outcome 2:
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- 2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation
- 2.3 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment
Learning Outcome 4:
- Children are confident and involved learners
- 4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity
- 4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem-solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating
Learning Outcome 5:
- Children are effective communicators
- 5.3 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work
Resources required
- A range of waste items that vary in colour, weight, shape and texture. These could include used paper, newspaper, a small plastic tub, plastic bottle, a milk carton, and a paper bag. Make sure all items are clean and sharp edges are covered with masking tape. Alternatively, use these cards with images of recyclable and non-recyclable containers.
- 10 cent coins play money – You will need 20-30 coins. Alternatively, cut out and use these images
- Pot plants, leaves and branches, and stuffed animals – You are aiming to create a garden-like space.
- Upcycled cardboard boxes or other containers to serve as bins.
Additional info
The ACT Container Deposit Scheme (ACT CDS) was introduced by the ACT Government in 2018 as a litter reduction initiative. Participants collect and return their eligible drink containers at an ACT CDS return point for a 10 cent refund on each. For further information about the ACT CDS, please visit actcds.com.au
This lesson plan has been developed by Cool Australia, in collaboration with Exchange for Change, the scheme coordinator for the ACT CDS, as part of a suite of curriculum-linked resources for teachers that support schools’ participation in the scheme and enable teachers to discuss the environmental benefits of the scheme as part of their sustainability lessons.
Welcome back!
Don't have an account yet?
Log in with:
By signing up to Cool.org you consent and agree to Cool's privacy policy to
store, manage and process your personal information. To read more, please see
our privacy policy here(Opens in new tab).
Create your free Cool.org account.
Many of our resources are free, with an option to upgrade to Cool+ for premium content.
Already have an account?
Sign up with:
By signing up to Cool.org you consent and agree to Cool's privacy policy to
store, manage and process your personal information. To read more, please see
our privacy policy here(Opens in new tab).