Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Year Level: Foundation (Prep)

Subject: Social Sciences – Sustainability

Duration: 25 minutes

Class Size: 20 students

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Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum – Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS): Foundation Year

• ACHASSK019 – The importance of environments, including natural, managed, and constructed environments to people and their needs
• ACHASSI002 – Posing questions about the environment and how people interact with and care for different places

Cross-Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability

• Understanding the importance of caring for the environment
• Developing responsible habits regarding waste reduction and sustainability

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:
✅ Understand the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling in their daily lives.
✅ Create a fun craft project using recycled materials.
✅ Develop an awareness of environmental responsibility, waste reduction, and sustainability.

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Materials Needed

Recycled materials:

• Empty cardboard rolls (toilet paper or paper towel rolls)
• Bottle caps and lids
• Scraps of fabric or old magazines
• Cereal or tissue boxes
• Plastic containers (e.g., yoghurt tubs)
• Old buttons, ribbons, and coloured paper

Other craft supplies:

• Non-toxic glue
• Child-safe scissors
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Markers or crayons

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes) – The Three R’s

💡 Engage Students with a Quick Discussion:

• Gather students in a circle.
• Hold up three different bins labelled Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
• Ask students: “What do you think these words mean?”
• Use simple statements:
  • Reduce – Use less (turn off taps, take shorter showers).
  • Reuse – Use again (turn an old box into a treasure chest).
  • Recycle – Make into something new (plastic bottles become new toys).

🎵 Sing a Short Sustainability Song:
(To the tune of 'Twinkle Twinkle')
"Reduce, reuse and recycle too,
That’s the thing that we should do!
Help our Earth, keep it clean,
Make it shine and make it green!"

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2. Hands-On Craft Activity (15 minutes) – Recycled Robots

🎨 Project: Create a Recycled Robot!

• Each student selects 3-4 recycled items from a “treasure box” filled with materials.
• Using glue, markers, and scissors, they decorate and build their own robot.
• As they work, prompt discussion:
  • “What is your robot made from?”
  • “Did you save this from going into the bin?”
  • “How does using old things help the planet?”

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3. Reflection and Wrap-Up (5 minutes) – Sustainability in Our Lives

🗣 Group Discussion:

• Hold up common objects (plastic bottle, piece of paper, banana peel). Ask:
  • “Should we reduce, reuse, or recycle this?”
• Discuss small actions children can take at home:
  • Turning off lights and taps.
  • Using a lunchbox instead of plastic bags.
  • Helping to compost food scraps.

🌱 Extension Idea:
Place an empty milk carton in the garden, fill with soil, and plant seeds as a class project to encourage growing food sustainably!

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Assessment Strategies

✅ Observation – Are students engaged in discussion?
✅ Student responses – Can they explain the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling?
✅ Craft activity completion – Did they use materials creatively and sustainably?

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Teacher Reflection (Post-Lesson)

• What went well?
• Were the students engaged with hands-on learning?
• Do they now show an increased awareness of sustainability?
• How can this learning be extended further in future lessons?

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🌏 Final Takeaway Message:
"Our planet is precious! Every small action counts – when we reduce, reuse, and recycle, we help make the Earth happy and healthy." 🌿