Learning Objectives 

Students will: 

• Investigate how communities reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Analyze objects that can be recycled and how to recycle.
• Determine individual roles in the recycling process.
• Write and perform a commercial on the benefits of recycling
• Create a stage set backdrop for a commercial using recyclable materials. 
• Write an informative text using facts and details to support statements.
• Participate in small-group and whole-class discussions. 

Standards Alignment

National Core Arts StandardsNational Core Arts Standards

Common Core State StandardsCommon Core State Standards

Next Generation Science StandardsNext Generation Science Standards

Recommended Student Materials

Editable Documents: Before sharing these resources with students, you must first save them to your Google account by opening them, and selecting “Make a copy” from the File menu. Check out Sharing Tips or Instructional Benefits when implementing Google Docs and Google Slides with students.

• Capture Sheet: Community Recycling
• Commercial Outline
• Commercial Rubric

Videos

• Reading Rainbow How Trash is Recycled with LeVar Burton
• How to Recycle Your Old Electronics
• Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea

Websites

• Recycling Symbols Decoded
• Washed Ashore

Teacher Background

Teachers should review the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle information and facts. 

Student Prerequisites 

Students should have some knowledge about recycling and have knowledge about dramatic play. 

Accessibility Notes

Modify handouts, text, and utilize assistive technologies as needed. Provide preferential seating for visual presentations and allow extra time for task completion.

Engage

1. Show students the video, Reading Rainbow How Trash is Recycled with LeVar Burton or How to Recycle Your Old Electronics. Tell students that they are going to learn about recycling. As students view the video, have them record items that can be recycled in their journals.

2. Engage students in a discussion about the video. Ask students: What can be made from recycled plastic? What can be made from recycled aluminum? What can kids do to help reduce garbage? What happens to trash? What is a landfill? What is pollution? What does contaminate mean? How does using a lunchbox or reusable container help the environment?  What does “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” mean? What is the message of the video? Discuss students' answers and clarify and explain any concepts that the students do not understand.

3. Compile a list of recyclable materials on the board or chart paper. Ask the students to share examples from the video of items that can be recycled. Have students share other items that can be recycled. Post the list of recyclable materials and encourage the class to add items to it throughout the remainder of the lesson.

4. Divide students into groups of four. Using the Capture Sheet: Community Recycling, have students research and gather information about how recycling is handled within their community, home, and school.

Build

1. Sort the recycled materials in collaborative groups. Provide each group with an assortment of recyclable materials to sort. Allow groups time to discuss how they will sort their materials.

2. Share the resource, Recycling Symbols Decoded. Allow time for students to investigate and discuss the recycling symbols. Review each numbered recycling symbol and point out which materials fall into that category.

3. Brainstorm ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials. Ask students: Which plastics are difficult to recycle? Have students examine their materials and think of ways they can be reused or reduced. For example, a plastic container could be reused as a planter or the use of plastic bags could be reduced by switching to cloth bags. Have groups share their ideas with the class.

Apply

1. Reconvene the students in their small groups. Tell the class that their task is to write and perform a one-minute television commercial about the benefits of recycling. Students will also design a backdrop for their commercial that incorporates recyclable materials. Review the steps of the Commercial Outline and share the Commercial Rubric criteria with the class.

2. Brainstorm ideas for the script. Using the Commercial Outline, each group should brainstorm ideas for their commercial and then agree on a main message, characters, and setting/action. Facilitate through each group to provide feedback as they work on their plan. 

3. Write dialogue for the commercial. Model dialogue for students by role-playing, then have groups begin to write dialogue for the characters. Tell the students to write down the exact words that they want their characters to say in the commercial. 

4. Brainstorm ideas for the backdrop. Provide each group with a project display board for their backdrop. Tell students that their backdrop should reflect the setting they chose. Students will use art supplies and recyclable materials to create their backdrop. Give groups time to discuss and sketch their backdrop plan. Check-in with each group to offer feedback on their backdrop.

5. Create a commercial backdrop. Students should sketch or outline their design on the project display board before they begin painting or attaching objects. Students should also decide if they want to include basic props or costumes.

6. Rehearse commercial. Allow students time to practice and time their commercials. Students have the option to memorize or not memorize their lines.

Reflect 

1. Present commercials. Have each group present their commercial in front of an audience. Students can optionally video record their commercial. Assess students using the Commercial Outline. 

2. After each group is finished, engage students in a discussion. Was the backdrop effective in communicating the setting? What was the main message? What parts of the dialogue helped you to understand the main message?

3. Assess students’ knowledge with a written response. What impact does recycling have on the environment? How can one person’s actions make a difference? How do visual and media arts change the way we think about our recycling habits?

Extend

1. Create sculptures from recycled plastics. Have students watch Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea and explore the site, Washed Ashore. Engage students in a discussion about ocean pollution. Ask students: What impact do humans have on the oceans? How do artists raise awareness about environmental issues? Using recycled materials, have students create sculptures out of recycled materials collected from their home, community, or school grounds.