Overview
Play a game of true and false to learn about plastic in our world. Explore how it impacts animals, energy and water.
Instructions
What you'll need
- Print and cut out group sets of the “Plastic truths” phrases
- Plan for about four students per group and provide each group with one true and one false statement
- “Plastic truths” teacher handout
- Sticky tack or board magnets
- “Plastic pollution” video
Plastic truths
- Ask the students to look around the room and see what things are made of plastic .
- Some examples might include pens, snack containers, chairs, computers, projectors, glue sticks, and scissor handles.
- Ask the students to think about what we make out of plastic that we use only once, like disposable water bottles, plastic plates and plastic sandwich bags.
- Explain it takes energy and water to make plastic and if we only use it once, it is a waste of energy and water. Like food, we don’t want to waste energy or water, and we can choose reusable water bottles, plates and containers instead.
- Divide the class into groups of four. Provide each group with one true and one false statement from the “Plastic truths” handout.
- Ask the students to read (with teacher assistance as needed) the statements and decide which is true and which is false. Have the students put the statements on the board using sticky tack or magnets under ‘true’ or ‘false’.
- Using the “Plastic truths” teacher handout, discuss with the students which statements are true and which are false.
- Play the video “Plastic pollution”. This is an example of students taking action in Los Angeles. How can we take action in our own communities?
- Ask the students to share what they can do to reduce plastic, help animals, the oceans and save energy.
Modify or extend this activity
- Plan a plastic free lunch with the students.
- Visit the Water Footprint Network to learn more about our water footprint and how much water is involved in almost everything we use.
Curriculum Fit
Grade 2 Social Studies
Big idea
- Local actions have global consequences, and global actions have local consequences
Content
- Relationships between people and the environment in different communities
- Rights and responsibilities of individuals regionally and globally
Curricular competencies
- Recognize the causes and consequences of events, decisions, or developments
Grade 2 English Language Arts
Big idea
- Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world
- Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us
Curricular competencies
Comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing)
- Read fluently at grade level
- Use sources of information and prior knowledge to make meaning
Teaching Notes
Plastic
Although there are many practical uses for plastic, it has become a major pollutant. Most plastics are made from fossil fuels, a resource we are ‘running out of’ and does not biodegrade.
Items made of plastic like disposable water bottles, straws, and bags are used only once and then discarded, and found in landfills and oceans around the world.
We use energy and water to produce the plastic, use it once and then throw it away. While some of these items can be recycled, it takes considerable energy and water and often it is not economical. By making choices to use re-usable bags, bottles and containers, we are doing our part to reduce energy, water and help keep our oceans plastic free.
Assessment
- Assess students’ understanding of the impacts of plastic.
- Assess students’ ability to read and assess true and false statements.
- Assess students’ communication sharing ideas and listening to others.
Downloads
Select the materials you require for this activity or download all
77.4 kb • pdf
96.2 kb • pdf
