PR-0552UK Primary Science - Book 2

Rubbish in the classroom
Caring for my locality ~ Activity 9
Objectives
• realise that there is both an
individual and a community
responsibility for taking care of
the environment
• become aware of ways in which
the environment can be polluted
or harmed
Working scientifically
• Questioning
• Observing
• Analysing (sorting and
classifying)
• Recording and communicating
Designing and making
• Exploring
• Making
Background information
Rubbish is believed to be one of the
major fire hazards in schools, as the
contents of rubbish bins have often
been used to start fires.
Pupils should not handle the rubbish
directly; they should wear gloves.
It is a good idea to put plastic
bags in the bins on the day of the
investigation.
Food packaging is necessary to
protect food from germs, dirt and
breakage as well as to make it look
attractive and easy to use.
Before the lesson
Materials needed
• Full classroom rubbish bins (some could be brought in from other classes to
make it a sizable amount), large sheet of plastic or a tarpaulin to empty the
bins on, rubber gloves for the handlers.
Preparation
• Have the plastic sheet or tarpaulin spread out and the bin(s) waiting to be
emptied.
The lesson
Stimulus
• Discuss the activities of the day and what has been thrown out. See if anyone
can remember throwing anything out. Relate the activities to what is likely to
be in the bins.
What to do
• Appoint some pupils to help with the distribution of the rubbish from the bins.
(These pupils should have rubber gloves on.)
• Tip the rubbish onto the sheet.
• At first glance, discuss what is the most common rubbish seen.
• Spread the rubbish and let the pupils discuss the different things they can
see.
• On the whiteboard, list the items found. Discuss how the amounts could be
measured (e.g. weigh, count etc.).
• Pupils begin the worksheet, choosing the three most common items (drawing
items and filling in the chart).
• When the exercise is complete, pupils can answer the questions about
amounts.
• Discuss recycling and what is needed to begin a programme in the class.
• Pupils can complete the worksheet with their own ideas.
After the lesson
Answers
• Teacher check
Viewing Sample
Additional activities
• Unfold an empty cardboard box or milk carton and make a cardboard template
of it. Use the template to design and make an attractive container for a new
type of flavoured milk.
• Make jam sandwiches and put them in different kinds of packages; e.g. foil,
cling film, a plastic bag, a cardboard box, waxed paper, tissue and cellophane.
Place the sandwiches on a shelf for three days, then test for freshness. Make
a list, ranking freshest to stalest.
• Estimate how much rubbish there is daily and then weigh it to check
estimates.
Display ideas
• Cleaned items for recycling could be hung as class mobiles with labels
attached.
116 PRIMARY SCIENCE ~ Prim-Ed Publishing ~ www.prim-ed.com