Creative Recycling Station

Year Level & Subject

Foundation (Prep) – Social Sciences (HASS: Humanities and Social Sciences)

Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum – HASS (Foundation Year):

• Content Descriptor: ACHASSK030 – The importance of environments to people and how places can be cared for.
• Elaborations: Exploring sustainable practices such as reusing and recycling materials to reduce waste.

Lesson Duration

10 minutes

Learning Intention

Students will understand the concept of recycling by using reusable materials to create craft projects. They will explore ways to reduce waste and care for the environment.

Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will:
✔ Recognise which materials can be reused for craft activities.
✔ Use recycled materials to create a simple craft project.
✔ Understand why recycling helps the environment.

---

Materials Needed

To encourage students to reduce, reuse, and recycle, provide the following materials:

Recyclable Craft Materials

• Cardboard boxes & tubes (cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, egg cartons) – for structures and shapes.
• Scrap paper & newspapers – for collages and decorations.
• Fabric scraps & ribbons – for texture in craft projects.
• Bottle caps & lids – for buttons, wheels, or decoration.
• Yoghurt containers & plastic tubs – for sculpting or storage.
• Old magazines & brochures – for cutting and gluing designs.
• Buttons & beads – for embellishments.
• Wool & string offcuts – for texture and threading practice.

Basic Craft Supplies

• Glue sticks – for sticking recycled materials together.
• Blunt scissors – child-safe for cutting various materials.
• Coloured pencils or crayons – for decorating.
• Safety tape (masking tape or washi tape) – easier for young hands than sticky tape.

---

Lesson Sequence

1. Introduction – "Why Should We Recycle?" (2 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Introduce the idea of recycling: "Where do things go when we throw them away?"
• Show a trash bin and a recycling bin – discuss the difference.
• Relate recycling to caring for Australia’s environment and animals.

2. Craft Station Activity – Creating with Recycled Materials (5 minutes)

• Show the materials and ask: "What could we make with these?"
• Guide students to pick 2-3 materials and create something new (e.g., a robot from a box, a bracelet from bottle caps).
• Encourage creativity: “There’s no wrong way to make something!”

3. Reflection – What Did We Learn? (3 minutes)

• Ask: “What did we make from things that might have been rubbish?”
• Discuss: “How does reusing things help the environment?”
• Praise students for using their imagination and helping the planet.

---

Extension Ideas

• Start a "Recycling Art Wall" to display student creations.
• Read a story about recycling, such as Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel.
• Set up a permanent classroom recycling bin for craft materials.

Assessment

☑ Observation of student participation and engagement.
☑ Student responses about why recycling helps the planet.
☑ Their ability to reuse materials creatively.

---

Final Thought for Teachers

This short lesson not only teaches about sustainability but also empowers young learners to be creative problem-solvers. By making recycling tangible and fun, children will start seeing everyday materials in new ways—encouraging lifelong sustainable habits.

Enjoy your Creative Recycling Station! 😊