National Recycling Week - Break down the Waste

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Year 4 Science:

• Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; These properties can influence their use (ACSSU074)
• Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE062)
• Represent and communicate ideas and findings in a variety of ways such as diagrams, physical representations and simple reports (ACSIS071)

Year 4 Geography:

• The use and management of natural resources and waste, and the different views on how to do this sustainably (ACHASSK090)
• Present ideas, findings and conclusions in texts and modes that incorporate digital and non-digital representations and discipline-specific terms (ACHASSI082)
• Reflect on learning to propose actions in response to an issue or challenge and consider possible effects of proposed actions (ACHASSI081)

Syllabus Outcomes: GE2-2, GE2-3, GE2-4, ST2-11LW, ST2-4WS, ST2-13MW. 

• Printed teacher worksheet
• Internet access
• Student worksheet
• Optional: infographic tool (e.g. Piktochart) and camera

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• communication
• critical thinking
• collaboration

Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week started in 1996 to bring a national focus to the environmental benefits of recycling. This highly regarded annual campaign continues to educate and stimulate behaviour change by promoting kerbside, industrial and community recycling initiative. It also gives people the tools to minimise waste and manage material resources responsibly at home, work and school. In partnership with Planet Ark, we have developed lessons from early learning through to year 10 to help educators bring these important topics into the classroom.

National Recycling Week is held in the second week of November each year but you can recycle all year-round with these lessons which were designed to be used at any time. Click here to find out more about National Recycling Week and the Schools Recycle Right Challenge.