Blended Learning Lesson Plan

Lesson Title: What is Recycling?

Objectives:

● Students will be able to identify what materials should be recycled.

● Students will be able to discuss reasons why one should recycle.
● Students will be able to apply new knowledge to positively impact the environment.

State Standards:

● Standard 1.E.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties and uses
of Earth’s natural resources.
● Standard 1.E.4B.2: Obtain and communicate information to explain ways natural
resources can be conserved (such as reducing trash through reuse, recycling, or replanting
trees).

Context:

This lesson is for a first grade class. Students will learn the benefits of recycling and what items
should be recycled. They will learn a song about the three Rs and create a diagram to show
properly sorted items. In the previous lesson, students learned about natural resources. This
lesson will further their knowledge on ways to conserve natural resources. Recycling is the last
topic of this unit. Next, students will be learning about their environment, the plants in their
environment, and how these plants thrive. This lesson about recycling will lead into the next unit
because it will educate students on how their actions affect everything around them (such as
plant growth).

Data:

Students will be divided into three groups. These groups will be based off of the data from last
class’s exit slip. The exit slip asked questions regarding recycling so I could see what knowledge
students had prior to this lesson. Students will be placed into groups based on their knowledge of
the topic. There will be a low level group, medium level group, and high achievers group. During
this lesson, data will be collected through the “I Can Recycle” worksheet, the ‘Sort and Recycle”
diagram, the “Recycle Roundup” game score, and the final Kahoot. I will use these assignments
to collect data for my future lessons. I can look at what information a majority of the class got
incorrect to know that I need to change my method of teaching for that specific topic.

Materials:

Part of Lesson Materials Needed

 Introduction ● Computer & SmartBoard to display
the discussion question and to watch
Recycling
● “I Can Recycle” worksheet (An image
of this worksheet is located under the
Instruction section)
● Pencil

Teacher Directed ● Computer & SmartBoard to watch the

Reduce Reuse Recycle Song
● Whiteboard and markers
● Notebook
● Pencil

Collaborative ● Colored pencils

● Scissors
● Glue
● Colored construction paper
● “Reduce Reuse Recycle” worksheet
(An image of contents from this
worksheet are located under the
Collaborative section.)

Independent Digital ● Chromebook to play Recycle Roundup

Closure ● Computer & SmartBoard for Kahoot

● Chromebooks for students to play
Kahoot
● Classroom treasure chest

Procedures:

Introduction (20 minutes):

This will be the first lesson of the day. Students will first enter the classroom and place their
jackets and backpacks in their cubbies. They will then take out their afternoon snacks and lunch
boxes and place them in their assigned bins. Students will then sit quietly on their assigned spots
on the carpet and wait until all of their classmates are unpacked and ready to begin. I will begin
this lesson with a discussion question. The question will be posted on the SmartBoard for
students to read and I will also read it to the class. I will ask “What do you know about
recycling? What is it and why do people do it? Is it good or bad?” I will then call on students as
they raise their hand to answer. After discussing for 5-7 minutes, the class will watch a short four
minute video about recycling. Next, students will move to their desks and take out a pencil. I will
pass out a worksheet and students will have 10 minutes to complete it based on what they
learned from the video. An image of the worksheet is attached below. As students are completing
the assignment I will write the three groups on the board. After 10 minutes, I will collect the
worksheet and explain what each group will be doing. I will then read the names out loud and
split students into their groups. Group one, the teacher directed group, will gather on the carpet.
Group two, the collaborative group, will meet at the desks in the middle of the classroom. Group
three, the independent digital group, will meet at the back of the classroom. After students are in
the correct location with their group, I will pull up a timer on the smartboard and set it for 15
minutes.

Teacher Directed (15 minutes):

Students will gather on the carpet with a notebook and pencil. I will write the words “reduce,
reuse, recycle” on the whiteboard and create columns. I will begin by asking the students to try
to define each word. I will call on students who raise their hands and write their ideas under each
word’s column. Then, I will play the Reduce Reuse Recycle Song. After listening to the song, I
will tell students to write and define the three words in their notebook. I will play the song two
more times to help students as they are completing this assignment. Before switching to the next
station, students must show me their notebook for credit.

Collaborative (15 minutes): Sort and Recycle

For this activity, students will color and cut images of items. They will then sort items under
“reduce”, “reuse”, “recycle” and glue all of these pieces to construction paper. There is an image
of the completed assignment attached below. First, students will gather at the middle desks in the
classroom and split into pairs. Then, one partner will go to the “teacher table” to gather colored
pencils, scissors, and glue. The other partner will go to the “student table” to pick up one
worksheet and one piece of colored construction paper. The worksheet will consist of 15 squares
with different images. Each group will begin coloring, cutting and sorting. Lastly, students will
glue down their sorted work and write their names. Students will place their paper in a pile on
my desk.
Independent Digital (15 minutes): Recycle Roundup

Students will first get their Chromebooks from the classroom computer cart. Then, they will sign
into their Google Classroom account and select the link labeled Recycle Roundup. This link will
take students to a recycling game. Students will use Gus the monkey to pick up and sort trash
and recycling. They must use the mouse to select the trash as it is falling from the air or as it is
piled on the ground. Then, students must drag the item to the correct bin. There are three bins
that appear on the screen; blue, red, and green. The blue bin is for recycling. Students must place
aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cell phones here. The red bin is for trash.
Students must drag and drop broken plates, dirty diapers, and empty toothpaste tubes here. The
green bin is for compost. Students must place leaves, egg shells, tea bags, and fruit and vegetable
waste here. The game has a two minute timer and records the players score, the number of items
placed in the correct bin, and the number of items placed in the wrong bin. Students must make
as many attempts as time allows until they reach a score of 10 with no items placed incorrectly.
Students must then take a screenshot of their score and submit it through Google Classroom.

Closure (10 minutes):

Students will grab their Chromebook from the classroom computer cart and return to their
assigned seats. They will log onto their computers and search “Kahoot” in Google. They will
select the first website that appears and enter the game pin displayed on the SmartBoard. I will
be using my computer to control the Kahoot questions appearing on the SmartBoard. Once all
the students have signed in and entered their username, I will begin the Kahoot. The Kahoot will
consist of 20 questions relating to the information students received during the lesson. The three
students with the highest score at the end of the Kahoot will be given the opportunity to select a
goodie from the class treasure chest.

Rationale:

1. Recycling YouTube Video

● I selected this video for my students to view at the beginning of the lesson
because I liked the approach it took to define recycling. It began with a real life
example which led to a lesson. It featured a student friendly, age appropriate
character who narrated throughout the entirety of the film. The blue ghost taught
 students what items can be recycled. The video also showed cartoon examples of
the different processes several materials go through to be recycled. This video
supports state standards, objectives, and learning goals because it’s content gives
students a better understanding of recycling. It is also beneficial to all learners,
even students who are hard of hearing/deaf because of its subtitle features. I feel
this video added variety to instruction because it created a different atmosphere
throughout the many clips.
2. Reduce Reuse Recycle Song
● I decided to share this song with my students because of the important
information included within the lyrics. I also found the song to be very catchy and
thought this would help students retain the information easily. The song defines
the words “reduce reuse recycle” and repeats important phrases in a rhythmic
pattern. It achieves the learning goals for this lesson because the song introduces
new information relating to the unit. There is a high-quality video that plays along
with the song. The video includes cartoon images that are viewer friendly and
appropriate for all ages. The video consists of many bright colors and different
sized fonts that make this media’s presentation design perfect. Playing this song
for my students also allows them to improve their listening and comprehension
skills. It also complies with this unit’s standards because it teaches students key
terms relating to recycling.
3. Recycle Roundup Game
● I chose this piece of multimedia because it allows students to apply their new
knowledge. I also like this game because of how interactive it is. I also thought
students would have fun playing this game because they can make it competitive.
This game meets student learning, standards, and objectives because it allows
students to apply what they are learning to different scenarios. This game also
causes students to be more engaged. It also gives feedback to make students
aware of which items they placed in the wrong bin. This game is easy for all
students to use and only requires a computer/laptop to play. A hearing
impared/deaf student would be able to play this game without any restrictions.
The presentation design of this game makes it user friendly and easy to navigate.