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"For 5000 years, the largest man-made structure on the Earth, by volume, was the Great Wall of China. In 1991, it will be overtaken by Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, part of New York City. In use since 1948, the landfill covers 3,000 acres of swampy land and will soon be 500 feet high, making it the highest point of land on the East Coast."

From Recycling, by Jean F. Blashfield and Wallace B. Black, Children's Press: Chicago, 1991.

 

Teacher's Guide Content Outline Community Resources "How can I be inventive?" Student Feedback

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Teacher's Guide

Lesson Objectives:
                - to know what is recyclable and to brainstorm new and inventive ways of recycling
                - to develop skills in working together successfully with others
                - to develop community problem solving strategies
                - to develop skills in thinking logically   
                - to use English to talk about solving problems
                - to help students develop a textual visual map for solving problems

Multiple Intelligences Developed in this Lesson:
                - Linguistic
                - Logical/Mathematical
                - Interpersonal
                - Intrapersonal
                - Visual/Spatial

Procedure:
- Ask the students what they know about recycling.

- Distribute a Recycle lesson packet to each student. A lesson packet includes a title page, a content outline, a group problem solving activity* and a student feedback form. Have the students complete the left side of the feedback form.

-Read the quote on the title page to the students.

- Have the students take turns reading the outline. Using the glossary, define any unfamiliar vocabulary for the students. Answer any questions the students may have.

- Direct the students to turn to the "How can I be inventive?" page in their packets. Read the problem aloud to the students. Read aloud the parts of the chart to the students. Divide students into groups of 3, 4 or 5 depending on class size. Direct each group to appoint a reader, a secretary and a spokesperson. Once each group has completed its chart, have the groups share their results with the rest of the class.

- Direct the students to complete the right side of the feedback form. Collect the forms. Using the facts on these forms for dictation would be an excellent additional use of these forms. A field trip to the Recycling Visitor's Center on Murphy Road is a nice accompaniment to this lesson.

*The group problem solving lessons in this manual have a multiple intelligence focus and are adapted from a unit on social responsibility in A Guidebook for Applying MI Theory in the Second Language Classroom by Maryann Christison, Ph.D., Burlingame, CA: Alta Book Center Publishers, 1999.
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Content Outline

                I. Definitions
                        A. Recycle
                        B. Biodegradable
                        C. Decomposition
                        D. Reconstitution
                        E. Conservation
                        F. Bulky Waste
                        G. Corrugated cardboard

                II. What do we do with our trash?
                        A. Bury it
                                1. Landfills
                                2. Oceans
                        B. Burn it
                                 1. Incinerators
                                 2. Waste to energy facilities
                        C. Recycle it
                                 1. Recycling containers or bins
                                 2. Recycling centers and supermarkets
                                 3. Hartford landfill
                III. Recycling laws in Hartford
                        A. Residents must recycle by law
                                1. Newspapers, magazines and catalogs
                                2. Corrugated cardboard and boxes
                                3. Gabled milk and juice cartons
                                4. Glass
                                 5. Plastic bags, food and laundry containers marked with a "1" or "2" symbol on the bottom (PETE 1 & HDPE 2)
                                 6. Aluminum soda cans and metal canned goods
                                 7. Bulky waste
                                          a. Mattresses
                                          b. Furniture
                                          c. Carpets
                                 8. Scrap metal
                                          a. Appliances
                                          b. Tire rims
                                          c. Metal bed frames
                                 9. Waste motor oil and automotive batteries
                               10. Leaves in the spring and fall
                        B. Businesses, agencies and schools must recycle by law
                                1. Mixed office paper
                        C. Enforcement rules and regulations
                                1. Penalties for non-separation of recyclables from other waste.
                             
                IV. Benefits of Recycling
                                 1. Conserves energy
                                 2. Conserves natural resources
                                 3. Conserves space
                                 4. Conserves money
                                 5. Reduces toxic waste
                                 6. Reduces pollution

                 V. Reminders
                                1. Rinse your cans, bottles and drink containers before you recycle them.
                                2. Return your bottles and cans to collect your deposit.
                                3. Think of new ways to reuse things.
                                4. Leave your grass clippings on the lawn after you mow your lawn.
                                5. Have a tag sale.

                VI. Community Resources

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Community Resources

For a free tour of a recycling center in Hartford:

Mid-Connecticut Project Regional Recycling and Visitor's Center
211 Murphy Road
Hartford, CT 06114
(860) 247-4280
Public Hours: September - June
Wednesdays - Friday: 12-4

For questions regarding recycling:

Estella Knight
City of Hartford
Department of Public Works
Waste and Recycling Division
525 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 543-8609

For scrap metal and bulky waste curbside collection:

Public Works Yard
40 Jennings Road
Hartford, CT 06120
(860) 543-8750

For waste motor oil and automotive batteries disposal drop off:

Public Works Yard
40 Jennings Road
Hartford, CT 06120

For telephone book recycling:

The Hartford Recycling Center
(860) 543-8609

SNET
1-800-235-4377

For information on proper composting:

Estella Knight
(860) 543-8609

Department of Environmental Protection
(860) 424-3365

University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System
(860) 570-9013

 

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"How can I be inventive?"

Directions: Read through the problem carefully. Select a reader, a writer, and a speaker within your group. Complete the chart. Share your group's recommendation with the rest of the class.

You have thrown a lot of things away this morning. Some of the things you have thrown away may have another use. Make a list of ten things you have thrown away.  Share your list with the rest of your group. Within your group, choose three items that you may be able to reuse. How can you be inventive?

Things I threw away this morning:

1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.


Identify the problem in your own words:

 

Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
Strength: Strength: Strength:
Weakness: Weakness: Weakness:


Group Recommendation:

 

 
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Student Feedback
Before

Facts

 After
I knew I knew I knew   I knew I knew I knew
a lot something nothing   a lot something nothing
about about about   about about about
     
Recycle means to reuse or adapt to a new use.
      
     
You are required by law to recycle in Hartford.
      
     
An example of a bulky waste item is a couch or sofa.
      
     
Plastics marked with a "1" or "2" symbol are recyclable in Hartford.
      
     
It is important to rinse your recyclables before putting them in the recycling bin.
      
     
Some styrofoam takes hundreds of years to decompose.
      
     
You can drop off your waste motor oil and old automotive batteries at The Public Works Yard on Jennings Road.
      
     
The Public Works Department will pick up your bulky waste at your curb.
      

 

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