School-Wide Recycling Project

As students learn about the planet and recycling, they often have limited knowledge with what happens to the byproducts they discard. Students will research, discuss, and identify issues associated with keeping a healthy planet. Using knowledge of school climate and activities associated with recycling, the students will design a plan of action to reduce the amount of school recyclable items that are thrown into the trash. Math and technology skills will be used to collect, record, and analyze data associated with school-wide recycling trends. Students will extend their understanding of human effects on their environment by conducting home and school surveys regarding recycling practices. In addition, students will visit a recycling center.

Ultimately, students will become actively involved in preparing and taking recyclable items (plastic bottles/cans) to a local pick-up center. Students will report to the school and student body the findings and totals on the number of recycled items saved from the trash and taken to the recycle center. Through announcements made to the student body, and a letter writing campaign, students will solicit the support of peers and adults to increase their involvement in recycling. As a culminating activity, students will host a screening of a DVD documenting the recycling project.

Given the many options and the flexibility built into this service-learning project, it is hoped there will be few problems identifying appropriate service-learning opportunities within this framework for students receiving special education services, similar to their nondisabled peers.