War On Waste - Finding Out About Waste

Australian curriculum content descriptions: 

Foundation Science:

• Objects are made of materials that have observable properties (ACSSU003)
• Pose and respond to questions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS014)
• Engage in discussions about observations and represent ideas (ACSIS233)
• Share observations and ideas (ACSIS012)

Foundation Mathematics:

• Sort and classify familiar objects and explain the basis for these classifications. Copy, continue and create patterns with objects and drawings (ACMNA005)

Year 1 Science:

• Everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways (ACSSU018)
• Use informal measurements to collect and record observations, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS026)
• Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways (ACSIS029)

Year 1 Mathematics:

• Represent data with objects and drawings where one object or drawing represents one data value. Describe the displays (ACMSP263)

Year 2 Science:

• Different materials can be combined for a particular purpose (ACSSU031)
• Use informal measurements to collect and record observations, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS039)
• Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways (ACSIS042)

Year 2 Mathematics:

• Identify a question of interest based on one categorical variable. Gather data relevant to the question (ACMSP048)
• Collect, check and classify data (ACMSP049)
• Create displays of data using lists, table and picture graphs and interpret them (ACMSP050)

Year 3 Science:

• Consider the elements of fair tests and use formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate, to make and record observations accurately (ACSIS055)
• Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings using formal and informal representations (ACSIS060)

Year 3 Mathematics:

• Identify questions or issues for categorical variables. Identify data sources and plan methods of data collection and recording (ACMSP068)
• Collect data, organise into categories and create displays using lists, tables, picture graphs and simple column graphs, with and without the use of digital technologies (ACMSP069)
• Interpret and compare data displays (ACMSP07)

Syllabus outcomes: STe-9M, STe-4WS, ST1-12MW, ST1-4WS, ST2-4WS

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Numeracy

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.9

Relevant parts of Foundation Science achievement standards: Students describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. They share and reflect on observations, and ask and respond to questions about familiar objects and events.

Relevant parts of Foundation Mathematics achievement standards: Students answer simple questions to collect information and make simple inferences

Relevant parts of Year 1 Science achievement standards: Students describe objects that they encounter in their everyday lives, and the effects of interacting with materials and objects. Students respond to questions and participate in guided investigations of everyday phenomena. They follow instructions to record and sort their observations and share them with others.

Relevant parts of Year 1 Mathematics achievement standards: They collect data by asking questions, draw simple data displays and make simple inferences

Relevant parts of Year 2 Science achievement standards: Students identify that certain materials and resources have different uses. They use informal measurements to make and compare observations, and record and represent observations and communicate ideas in a variety of ways.

Relevant parts of Year 2 Mathematics achievement standards: Students collect, organise and represent data to make simple inferences

Relevant parts of Year 3 Science achievement standards: Students follow procedures to collect and record observations. They describe how safety and fairness were considered and they use diagrams and other representations to communicate their ideas.

Relevant parts of Year 3 Mathematics achievement standards: They conduct simple data investigations for categorical variables

Unit of work: War On Waste – Foundation to Year 3

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: High – lead students in class discussions, oversee the categorisation of waste materials, assist in the creation of graph or poster

• Device with internet and presentation capability 
• Materials for creating posters or graphs
• Waste Safety Code (optional)
• A range of waste items that students are likely to be familiar with, such as plastic bottles, fruit juice cartons, aluminium cans, glass jars, plastic bags, straws (paper and plastic), plastic wrap, aluminium foil, paper coffee cups, cardboard boxes and paper. Try to pick a range of waste materials, including some that can be recycled and some that can’t. Ensure all items are thoroughly clean and any sharp parts are covered in tape.
  
  Hot tip: Ensure that the range of waste items that you choose are used and were already headed for their respective bins. If you need help collecting used items for the activity we recommend you place a box next to the rubbish bin in the staffroom asking your colleagues to add the items you are after.  

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

• Communication
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Critical thinking

Cool Australia’s War On Waste lessons have been developed in partnership with Lune Media and with support from the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network. These lessons have been designed to lead students through a deeper understanding of some of the big issues relating to waste in Australia and to support them to take action to reduce the impact of waste on our environment.