School Programs - Grade K to 8

In-person presentation for kindergarten-aged students will be considered if multiple kindergarten classes will be attending, and the presentation can be located within a quiet central spot (preferably a space like the school library or classroom) with a few tables available and a larger space for students to sit. Each class will rotate through the presentation for a pre-scheduled 30-minute timeslot. Schools can request one-day of in-person kindergarten presentations per school year. Staff will accommodate up to one in-person kindergarten presentation per week across all school boards when possible.

Students will learn about the importance of responsible waste management through a variety of activities including a topic-specific story, hands on activities including waste sorting, and identifying ways that they can participate in responsible waste management to help keep our community a safe, healthy, and clean place to live. 

Summary of Education Session

Students will sit together in a common area. The presenter will introduce themselves and the topic of the presentation. As a group, the presenter will read Michael Recycle (written by Ellie Bethel, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo) to provide a basic overview of the themes that will be explored throughout the presentation.

Activity 1: There’s a mess in our town! (Waste sorting activity)

Students will be introduced to each of the waste bins (reuse bin, blue boxes, green bin, and garbage bin) and explore what belongs in each waste bin. Students will then work together to sort a variety of waste materials into the correct bin using the tips and tricks provided by the presenter.

Activity 2: Water pollution observation.

Students will be encouraged to identify common litter items that the presenter has collected, placed in sealed jar of clean tap water, and left for a prolonged period. The class will work together to make observations about the quality of the water, such as changes in the colour, clarity, or state of the water and the litter items, and make connections to the potential impacts of pollution on the environment.

Activity 3: Creative thought, what could I be next?

Students will be encouraged to think of creative ways to reuse several clean waste materials and to share their ideas with the class. The presenter will share some examples using prepared photographs of fun craft projects that have been completed using materials from the blue box.

Activity 4: Using our senses to explore finished compost.

Students will explore what happens to the materials we place in the green bin once it leaves our homes. Using their senses (touch, sight, and smell), students will share their observations with the group and learn how we can use this material to grow new plants and new food.

Wrap up: After a quick tidy-up, students will come back to the common area to wrap up, including an opportunity to ask any additional questions. Teachers will receive some additional information and promotional items to share with the class.

Time expectation: Each class will be scheduled for a 30 to 45-minute timeslot during the day.

• Rethink

Kindergarten

• Growing food from kitchen scraps. Don't toss it - plant it!

Grade 2

• A look at natural resources (Social Studies)
  
  • Worksheet: Read the provided scenarios and explain how they are an example of rethinking waste

Grade 5

• Mock parliamentary committee meeting (Social Studies)

Grade 7

• Analyze the production process of a popular household item (Geography)

•  Reduce

Kindergarten

• Waste free lunch
  • Worksheet: Circle each waste free lunch option in the picture provided

Grade 1

• Food waste reduction (Science and Technology and Social Studies)
  • Worksheet: Draw a picture showing how you can reduce food waste

Grade 2

• Reviewing waste generation in the classroom (Math and Social Studies)

Grade 5

• Product packaging challenge (Science and Technology)

Grade 7

• Carry your waste challenge (Geography)

• Reuse

Kindergarten

• Repurposing blue box material

Grade 1

• Community helpers and waste management in our community (Social Studies)

Grade 4

• Book swap (Social Studies)
  • Book swap slip

Grade 5

• Making a reusable bag from an old t-shirt (The Arts)

Grade 8

• Settlement patterns and sustainability (Geography)

•  Recycle

Kindergarten

• Sort it out
  • Worksheet: Cut and past items into the correct blue box

Grade 1

• Sort it out - Recyclable materials and the Blue Box Program (Science and Technology and Social Studies)
  • Worksheet 1: Circle the items that do not belong in the blue box
  • Worksheet 2: Cut and past items into the correct blue box
  • Worksheet 3: Design the side of a recycling truck

Grade 3

• What new items can be made from the materials you plan in your blue box? (Social Studies)
  • Worksheet 1: Know before you throw 
  • Worksheet 2: Research assignment

Grade 4

• Minerals in your home and school (Science and Technology)
  • Worksheet: Match the words with the correct definitions

Grade 5

• Life cycle analysis of a common plastic waster bottle (Science and Technology)
  • Worksheet: Life cycle analysis of a common plastic water bottle

Grade 7

• Make a musical instrument out of materials found in the blue box and compose a jingle (The Arts)

•  Recover

Grade 1

• Energy makes things happen! (Science and Technology)

Grade 4

• Force: Removing metals at the Durham York Energy Centre (Science and Technology)

Grade 5 and 6

• Forms of energy - energy from waste (Science and Technology)

•  Compost

Kindergarten

• Compost in a jar

Grade 1 and 3

• Using compost to grow plants from seeds (Science and Technology)

Grade 2

• Food in our community (Social Studies)

Grade 4

• What's in your compost? (Science and Technology)
  • Worksheet: What's in your compost?
  • Resource: The Soil Food Web

Grade 6

• Can food waste change Earth's climate? (Social Studies)

Grade 7

• Research and construct a compost food web (Science and Technology)