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Reduce and RESPECT!

Lesson 1:

From Unit The Four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, RESPECT!

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Subjects:

Arts, Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy, Science and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ART:	Music: Perform
ELA:	Wartville Wizard (The); Brainstorming; Fiction Literature; Journaling; Predicting; Response to Text/Others; Vocabulary
PHIL:	Environmental Stewardship; LEAGUE Wildcard Lesson: Environment; Philanthropist; Recycling; Reflection; Respect; Time/Talent/Treasure
SCI:	Conservation; Environment; Natural Resources; Pollution
SOC:	Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Environment; Pollution

Purpose:

The purpose of this unit is to learn the term “reduce” as it pertains to trash and the environment. They will do this by hearing the story, The Wartville Wizard. Learners will brainstorm ways that they can reduce trash and why it is important. They will also review what the term philanthropist means (someone who gives of their “time, talents or treasures for the common good”) and link this term to their study of trash reduction and conservation.

Duration:

One forty-five minute period

Objectives:

The learner will:

review the term “respect”.
understand the concept of reducing trash.

define the word “reduce”.

brainstorm ways to reduce trash in their schools and homes.

review the term philanthropist and how it relates to this topic of reducing trash.

Materials:

Book: The Wartville Wizard by Don Madden
Chart paper and markers
Handful of pieces of candy
Learning journals with at least four pages (one for each of the “Four R’s”: reduce, reuse, recycle, respect) with room to both write and draw

Handout 1: Family Letter
Handout 2: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE Worksheet

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
To introduce the concept of “reduce”, put out a pile of candy and ask the learners: “Does anyone know what the word reduce means? (Take volunteers.) Yes, reduce means to make something less or smaller. So, if that’s the case, how can I reduce this candy?” Hopefully students will give you the answer “eat some” or “give them to us!” Tell them that today we will be studying ways that we can reduce trash.

Show the learners the book cover of The Wartville Wizard and ask them to predict what they think the story will be about. Discuss title, author and illustrator. Discuss the wizard’s facial expression and have the students predict why they think he looks so angry.

Read the story, The Wartville Wizard stopping periodically to check for comprehension and to review any unknown vocabulary words.

At the end of the story ask learners the question: “Why do you think it is important to reduce trash?” Have the students do a “think-pair-share” Teacher Note: Think-pair-share is a cooperative learning teaching strategy that allows the learners to work together in pairs to share what the learners know.

Have the pairs share their answers and discuss.

Teach the term philanthropist by asking learners, “Does anyone know what a philanthropist is?” Sing them the song/chant:. (Sung to the tune of “Are You Sleeping?”)

Teacher: What is a philanthropist?

Learners: (Learners echo what the teacher says) What is a philanthropist?

What is a philanthropist?

Teacher: Do you want to know?

Learners: Yes, we want to know!

Teacher: It’s giving of your time, your talents and your treasures, for the common good!

Students: For the common good!

Ask the learners if there was a philanthropist in the story (the wizard). Tell the learners that philanthropists can be anyone: old or young, man or woman or child, rich or poor or even grumpy or happy! He was using his time (to pick up the litter) to help make the city cleaner (common good).

Inform the learners that our landfills are filling up (you may have to tell them what a landfill is and how they get full)! If you have access to a computer or trade book, show them pictures of landfills. Every American creates an average of 4.5 pounds (1.7 meters) of trash per day!

Tell the learners that we want to be philanthropists and help clean our planet! Discuss together what we can do to reduce trash. How can we make less trash? Help them get started by giving them some ideas: don’t take a bag at the grocery store, don’t take a napkin with your snack (especially if it’s not messy). Keep track of the ideas on chart paper under the title: REDUCE. Display the chart paper in the classroom where you can refer to it as a reminder to reduce trash.

Have learners write in their journal about how they can reduce trash. Tell them that it should be something that they that they can do right away. Ask them to draw a picture of it in their journals.

Show learners the worksheet (see Attachment Two) and tell them they have a homework assignment tonight. Review the homework for day one with them.

Review the Philanthropy Chant and encourage them to be philanthropists by reducing trash and respecting our Earth!

Assessment:

The assessment for this lesson will be teacher observation of participation in the classroom discussions and brainstorming sessions. Also, credit/no credit should be given on the journal page and the homework assignment.

School/Home Connection:

Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
See Attachment One, Lesson One: Family Letter and Attachment Two, Lesson One: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE Worksheet

Extension:

Visit a landfill or have someone from a landfill come to speak to the class.

Bibliographical References:

Madden, Don. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster: New York, 1986.ISBN: 0689716672
Fritz, Tracey. Philanthropist Song/Chant. From the K-2 Learning to Give Unit: Let’s Make Lemonade found at http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit200/

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Amy Peters
Mona Shores Public Schools
Lincoln Park Elementary
Muskegon, MI 49441

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Family Letter

[Insert Date]

Dear Families:

In our class, we are learning about ways we can care for our environment through a unit called, "The Four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, RESPECT!" During the next week we will be learning about these “R” terms and what they mean. More importantly, we will be coming up with ideas of things we can do to help our Earth and cut down on trash.

Here is where we need your help…for the next three evenings, you will be asked to have a discussion with your child about that day’s “R” word. Together you will come up with some ideas of things that you can do at home pertaining to that term (i.e. for “reduce” you might say “I will reduce trash by taking my own bags to the grocery store”). You and your child will keep track of your ideas on this sheet and bring it back to school each day so your child can discuss your ideas with the class.

Thanks, in advance, for your help and support!

Sincerely
[Insert Name]

Handout 2Print Handout 2

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE Worksheet

(Please bring this sheet back to school each day for our classroom discussions.)

1st Night: [insert date]
Focus Word: REDUCE
**Hint: Remember, reduce means to make a smaller amount of something, in this case, how can you make less trash?

Here are some ways I can reduce trash:

2nd Night: [insert date]
Focus Word: REUSE
**Hint: Remember, reuse means to use the same thing in a different way. In this case, how can you use what was once a piece of trash, in a different way?

Here are some ways I can reuse trash:

3rd Night: [insert date]
Focus Word: RECYCLE
**Hint: Remember, recycle means to create something new from trash. In this case, how can you use what was once a piece of trash, in a different way?

Here are some things I can recycle:

Academic Standards:

State:

Philanthropy Framework:

Unit Contents:

Overview:The Four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, RESPECT! Summary

Lessons:

1.: Reduce and RESPECT!
2.: Reuse and RESPECT!
3.: Recycle and RESPECT!
4.: Spreading Cheer by Recycling!