Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this activity, students will look at the different types of shopping bags that are available to shoppers (plastic grocery carry bags, plastic fruit and vegetable/meat bags, plastic heavy duty bags, paper bags and reusable bags/boxes) and the pros and cons of each type. They will calculate how many bags their family brings home each week and then estimate how many single use bags their family uses in one year. This activity requires preparation from both the teacher and the students.

Learning goals:

  • Students understand that the bags that we use to carry all the things that we buy are very convenient, but their inappropriate disposal can have major impacts on the built and natural environment.
  • Students recognise that choosing the right bags to carry our things is just as important as choosing the right things in the first place.
  • Students discover that the choice of shopping bag is not always straight forward.

Australian Curriculum content description:

Year 7 Science

  • Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE121)
  • Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS124)
  • Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133)

Year 8 Science

  • Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE136)
  • Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS139)
  • Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS148)

Syllabus Outcomes: SC4-13ES, SC4-4WS, SC4-9WS. 

Topic: Solid waste

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – assist students with calculations if required.

Resources required: Several sets of different shopping bags: plastic grocery carry bags, plastic fruit and vegetable/meat bags, plastic heavy duty bags, paper bags and reusable bags/boxes. If possible, include some biodegradable bags. Sensitive scales. Access to the Internet and student worksheet.

Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: This activity has opportunities for homework or extension.

Safety: Students follow the Class Waste Safety Code.

Keywords: Bags, shopping, family, plastic, paper, biodegradable.

 

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation:

Overarching learning goal: In this activity, students will look at the different types of shopping bags that are available to shoppers (plastic grocery carry bags, plastic fruit and vegetable/meat bags, plastic heavy duty bags, paper bags and reusable bags/boxes) and the pros and cons of each type. They will calculate how many bags their family brings home each week and then estimate how many single use bags their family uses in one year. This activity requires preparation from both the teacher and the students.

Teacher content information: This activity requires preparation on two levels - 

1. You (the teacher) needs to collect several sets of different shopping bags, including plastic grocery carry bags, plastic fruit and vegetable/meat bags, plastic heavy duty bags, paper bags and reusable bags/boxes. If possible, also include some biodegradable bags.

2. Using the student worksheet (Activity 2: How many bags do you use?) ask students to record the number of

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Student Worksheet

Activity 1. Which type of bags?

Prior to activity: Which type of shopping bag do you think we should we use and why?

 

Type of shopping bag

Weight of one bag (grams)

Pros

Cons

Plastic grocery carry bags

Plastic fruit and veg/meat bags

Plastic heavy duty bags (e.g. from clothing and shoe shops)

Biodegradable grocery carry bags

Paper bags

Reusable bag/boxes

 

Upon completion of activity: Which type of shopping bag do you think we should we use and why?

 

Activity 2. How many bags do you use?

Using the table below, record the number of shopping bags brought into your house over the next week.

At the end of the week, bring your results to school and calculate the total number of shopping bags brought into your home for the previous week. Use the questions below the table to help with your calculations.

Type of shopping bag

Mon

Tues
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