Recycling and Community

Lesson Overview

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Class size: 10 students (Year 7 SEND)
• Subject: PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)
• Unit: Recycling and Community Environmental Management (Week 1 of 5)
• National Curriculum link: KS3 Personal Social Development - Developing responsible attitudes and respect towards the environment and community.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Secure: Explain what recycling is and name three types of materials that can be recycled.
2. Developing: Understand why recycling is important for the environment and local community.
3. Emerging: Identify at least one way that they or their family can recycle at home or at school.

These objectives align with the KS3 framework for developing personal responsibility, understanding community roles, and environmental awareness.

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Curriculum Links (England National Curriculum KS3 Personal Development)

• Pupils should learn:
  • To take care of their physical and emotional wellbeing.
  • How to take greater responsibility within their home, school, and local community.
  • The importance of respect, care and consideration for the natural environment.

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Resources Needed

• Large colourful pictures of recycling bins (plastic, paper, food waste etc.)
• Real recyclable objects or clean waste items (cardboard, plastic bottles, tins)
• A simple ‘Recycling Sorting’ tray or box activity set
• Whiteboard and markers
• Weather photos showing different local weather conditions (sunny, rainy, windy)
• Reflection worksheet with simple pictures and sentence starters
• Timer or stopwatch
• Stickers as reward for participation

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter (5 minutes)

• Activity: Whole class discussion: “What do you know about recycling?”
• Teacher uses simple language, repeats key vocabulary (Recycle, Waste, Community).
• Show pictures of recycling bins and ask students to name or describe them (use prompts if needed).
• Objective: gauge prior knowledge and introduce topic vocabulary.

2. Teaching Input (10 minutes)

• Explain:
  • What recycling means: “Recycling is when we use old things to make new things.”
  • Why recycling is important: “It stops rubbish hurting animals and keeps our community clean.”
  • When and who recycles: “We recycle at home, school, and everywhere. Everyone can help!”
• Use real items to demonstrate which go in which bins.
• Link to weather: “When it rains or is windy, rubbish can fly away if not recycled properly – this hurts nature around us.”
• Use simple sentences and clear gestures.

3. Interactive Activity (15 minutes)

• Recycling Sort Game:
  • Each student receives different clean recyclable or non-recyclable objects.
  • They must decide where to put each item: paper bin, plastic bin, food waste bin, or rubbish bin.
  • Teacher facilitates and supports decision making.
  • After sorting, discuss each item and why it belongs where it does.
• Differentiation:
  • Secure: Assist with sorting and naming items.
  • Developing: Encourage explaining reasoning.
  • Emerging: Match pictures on bins to items or place items with help.

4. Linking to Local Context (5 minutes)

• Show photos of local weather (sunny, rainy, windy) and local parks.
• Discuss how recycling helps keep local places clean and safe for animals and people even when weather changes.
• Ask simple questions: “What happens if rubbish blows into the pond when it’s windy?” “How can we help?”

5. Reflection and Plenary (10 minutes)

• Students complete a simple worksheet:
  • Draw or stick a picture of one thing they can recycle at home or school.
  • Complete sentence starter: “I can recycle ________ to help my community.”
• Each student shares their answer aloud or using assistive communication if preferred.
• Teacher gives positive feedback and stickers for participation.
• Recap key words: recycle, rubbish, community, weather.

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Assessment

• Formative throughout via observation during sorting activity and discussion.
• Use reflection sheets to assess understanding of recycling basics and personal role.
• Adjust support to secure, developing, emerging learners accordingly.

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Extension/Homework Suggestion

• Ask students to look for one recyclable item at home this week and bring or take a photo to share at next lesson.
• Encourage families to talk about recycling routines and weather impacts.

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Teacher Notes

• Use plenty of visual aids, repetition, and real objects to support SEND understanding.
• Keep instructions clear and chunk tasks.
• Allow peer support within the small group.
• Celebrate small successes often to build confidence and engagement.
• This is the start of a 5-week unit, so focus on foundational awareness and practical sorting skills today.

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This carefully designed lesson meets the needs of SEND learners by embedding vocabulary, practical experience, and local relevance, while fully aligning with the KS3 framework for developing responsibility and environmental care.