2nd grade math lesson about recycling?

Question

Can anyone give me any good ideas on a lesson I can do with 2nd graders in math that has to do with our unit about recycling or going green. I don't want to do worksheets I want it to be a hands on activity. Thanks.

Answer 1

Come up with some numbers to show kids about how much energy is saved by recycling.  For example, show how much energy we save by recycling  ___________ number of cans (or whatever you want to recycle).  Let them have little 'cans' to use as counters.  They can calculate that _________ cans (or whatever else you want to use) being recycled saves _______ amount of energy.  It's a great way for them to really see how recycling affects things.  You can use it backwards...say, how much energy is used to make _______ number of cans vs. how much is used to recycle that same amount of cans.  I did this with first grade (simplified) and they loved it.

Answer 2

Going Green:Try making a compost with leftover lunch (no meat) and making a small garden.  Usually the agriculture extension office will help till and give a lesson outside with your students.  They may even bring hoes, seeds, and fertiliser (mine did).  The local garden club usually helps with supplies too.  Get some things that grow fast (radishes, squash) so the kids stay excited and don't forget flowers too.  I found a cookbook for "one" where it had recipes for one student to make stuff (like one zucchini pancake, one small salad).

Recycling (Reusing): Make paper or cards.  Take scraps of construction paper and newspaper and put in blender with water.  Dump slush out through screen.  Dry flat.  You can add small pieces of flowers to wet slush if you want to make it pretty.