Health Smart Virginia Sample Lesson Plan Grade 3 – Unit 1
Grade 3 Sample Lesson Plan:
Unit 1 – The 3 Rs (Reducing, Reusing, and
Recycling) and the Environment
SOLs
• 3.2.M Analyze how reducing, reusing, and recycling products promotes a healthier
environment.
• 3.3.Q Demonstrate ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home, at school, and in the
community.
Materials
• Computer with internet access
• Videos
• White board.
• Trash bin filled with trash (e.g., scrap paper, tin can, toilet paper rolls, empty
kleenex boxes, empty milk cartons, empty pop bottles, tinfoil
• Newspaper
Procedure
• Engage students in the recycling section of the interactive PBS Kids EekoWorld
Website on the Environment http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/ or have them visit
http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/go-green.html , read the Kids Health article “How
to Be A Green Kid, ” and take the 3 R quiz on the site
• Implement the Lesson Plan outlined below so that students can better understand
the 3 Rs (Reduce (less garbage), Reuse (use an item more than once), Recycle (use
an item more than once)
Lesson PlanAdapted from
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (before we run out of space at the dump!)
http://www.kidzone.ws/plans/view.asp?i=150
Preparation
Fill trash bin to overflowing with trash items and place it in the usual spot.
Set out books on recycling, the environment, etc in the reading center.
Prepare a make believe newspaper article from the year 2025 (see example below).
Steps
Ask the children if they know what happens to garbage after they put it in the garbage
can. Write their thoughts on the white board.
Explain to the children that garbage goes to a garbage dump (landfill) and that once one
landfill gets full room for another one must be found. Show and discuss the PBS video ,
Landfill-Human Impact on the Physical Environment
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/181216317-human-impact/birds-flying-
over-landfill-human-impact-on-the-physical-environment-geography/
Ask the children to imagine what it would be like if the city ran out of room for garbage.
Comments aren't necessary at this point... just have them imagine the scenario in their
heads.
Read them the make believe news story from the year 2025.
Health Smart Virginia Sample Lessons 2016-17
Ask the children what they can do today to keep the news story from coming true?
Write their ideas on the board.
Introduce the concept of the 3 Rs (REDUCE, RECYCLEAND REUSE). Classify their ideas as
Reduce, Recycle or Reuse.
-------------
REDUCE ==> make less garbage. For example, instead of buying juice boxes for lunch, buy
a large container of juice and use a washable single serving container to take it to school.
REUSE ==> use an item more than once. For example, when you get a plastic bag from
the grocery store put it in your car and use it again the next time you go shopping.
RECYCLE ==> turn an item into another useful item. For example, scrap paper from
the classroom might be turned into newspaper or paper bags when sent to the recycling
plant.
Divide the children into groups of 2 to 4 students.
Have each group take a few items out of the garbage can and move to their own area.
Have them jot down some points about how they might use the 3 R's on the items they
have chosen.
On the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle worksheet, have them write down their ideas and which
of the 3 R’s they reflect..
Return to the large group. Have the children share one of their ideas. Write them down
on the board.
Place a tin can (or a few of them) in a central location in the class. Have the children
individually propose ideas for RECYCLING the tin can.
On paper or on the computer, have the children write the directions for recycling the can.
They can add diagrams/artwork if they like on the Tin Can Recycling worksheet.
Tell students to go home to discuss with your parents if/how their families use the 3 R's
and write down ways they can help your family do a little bit more. Try out these
strategies.
Next class time ask the students to report and discuss what they learned.
Health Smart Virginia Sample Lessons 2016-17
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle worksheet
Health Smart Virginia Sample Lessons 2016-17
Tin Can Recycling Worksheet
Health Smart Virginia Sample Lessons 2016-17
Health Smart Virginia Sample Lesson Plan Grade 3 – Unit 1
Assessment Idea
• Evaluate student participation in discussion and activities.
References
• EPA Games and Quizzeshttps://www.epa.gov/students/games-quizzes-and-more
• EPA Learning and Teaching About the Environment- Student
Resources https://www.epa.gov/students
• KidsHealth.org Be a Green Kid -http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/go-green.html
• Kids Environment Kids Health http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/
• PBS Kids EekoWorld – Interactive Website on the
Environment http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/
• PBS Kids: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle K-1 http://www-
tc.pbskids.org/eekoworld/parentsteachers/pdfs/lessonk
_1.pdf
• PBS Learning Media: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Lesson
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/lpsc10.sci.life.lp_reduce/reduce-
reuse- recycle/
• PBS Learning Media: Environment- A Tale of Two Soup Cans
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/msts14.ela.twosoup/environment-
a-tale- of-two-soup-cans
• PBS Learning Media: Landfill-Human Impact on the Physical Environment
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/181216317-human-impact/birds-
flying- over-landfill-human-impact-on-the-physical-environment-geography/
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/topics/reduce/
• ToxTown https://www.toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/
• Why We Recycle? - http://www.instructorweb.com/lesson/recycling.asp
• Scholastic- Earth Day Every Day
https://beta.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson- plans/teaching-
content/earth-day-every-day/
• Scholastic - Pollution Solution https://beta.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-
plans/teaching-content/pollution-solutions/
