Activity Introduction
Quick summary: With the assistance of a teacher, students identify the Australasian Recycling Labels and the purpose behind them, specifically the intention of reducing material waste and helping the environment. Students will then design and create a memory game with the intention of practising associating common household and classroom waste with the appropriate Australasian Recycling Label.
This lesson has been developed as part of Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week. By participating in National Recycling Week you’ll be joining thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference and creating positive environmental change. Take part in the Schools Recycling Right Challenge for Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week. Register your lesson or other activities today!
Learning intentions:
- Students can identify the three Australasian Recycling Labels on a piece of packaging.
- Students will understand the difference between these three labels.
- Students can appropriately match a piece of packaging with a specific action or method of disposal based on these labels
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 1 & 2 HPE
- Explore actions that help make the classroom a healthy, safe and active place (ACPPS022)
Year 1 Science
- Everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways (ACSSU018)
- People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE022)
- Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways (ACSIS029)
Year 2 Science
- Earth’s resources are used in a variety of ways (ACSSU032)
- People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE035)
- Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways (ACSIS042)
Year 1 & 2 Technologies
- Identify how people design and produce familiar products, services and environments and consider sustainability to meet personal and local community needs (ACTDEK001)
Syllabus outcomes: SLS1.13, ST1-4WS, ST1-9ES, ST1-11LW, ST1-12MW, STe-10ME, ST1-14BE, ST1-15I, ST1-16P.
General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 1&2 achievement standards:
By the end of Year 1, students describe objects and events that they encounter in their everyday lives, and the effects of interacting with materials and objects.
By the end of Year 2, students describe changes to objects, materials and living things. They identify that certain materials and resources have different uses and describe examples of where science is used in people’s daily lives.
By the end of Year 2, students describe the purpose of familiar products, services and environments and how they meet a range of present needs.
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: National Recycling Week – Primary
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – Teacher facilitates learning and class discussion.
Resources required:
- Activity Sheets (optional)
- Australasian Recycling Label Templates (optional)
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Memory card game sheets
- Paper (A4) or blank cards
- Scissors
Keywords: Recycling, Australasian Recycling Label, Planet Ark, National Recycling Week, game, play-based learning
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
