5E Lesson Plan

Teacher(s): Alicia Birch

Date: December 1, 2015
Subject / grade level: 3rd Grade- Science
Materials: Soda can, cereal box, light bulb, wrapping paper (to demonstrate recyclable and non-recyclable items), Paper
printouts of items that can or cannot be recycled for class game, I Can Recycle worksheet to check for understanding.
State Standards: Goal 5.3: Understand the Importance of Natural Resources and the Need to Manage and Conserve Them
Objective: 3.S.5.3.1 Explain the concept of recycling. (581.03.a)

Lesson objective(s): 1. Explain the concept of recycling and how it benefits our environment.
2. Distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable items.
3. Independently come up with items you can or cannot recycle.
Differentiation/Accommodation strategies to meet diverse learner needs:
Reduced number of problems on worksheet, redirection when needed (if student(s) becomes agitated/frustrated etc.),
transitional warnings to make sure students know what to expect next with the use of visual schedule, provide fidget toy
during instruction

ENGAGEMENT

Through hands-on learning, students will stay engaged throughout this lesson on recycling. Real-life items, rather than just pictures will be used to
introduce the concept of recycling. Following discussion, students will be able to get up and demonstrate what they have learned through a class
game that will help students to understand the concept of what may or may not be recycled.
After hands-on engagement, students will be able to ask themselves:
1. What is recycling?
2. Why does recycling help the environment?
3. What items should I recycle and what items should I just throw in the trash?

EXPLORATION

Describe what hands-on/minds-on activities students will be doing:

At the beginning of the lesson, students will be asked to help brainstorm what they already know about recycling. Students will be given the
opportunity to explain what they think recycling is, and why we should recycle. Students will participate in a discussion that involves real-life items that
either can or cannot be recycled. A discussion will take place about why these items should or should not be recycled. Following the discussion,
students will demonstrate what they have learned through a hands-on game. Students will be given pictures of items and must place the item on the
whiteboard under either recyclable or non-recyclable. Following the game, students will independently come up with a list of items that can be
recycled on a worksheet that will check for understanding.
List big idea conceptual questions the teacher will use to encourage and/or focus students exploration:
1) What makes something recyclable?
2) How do I know what I can or cannot recycle?
3) When I recycle, how is it helping the environment?

*Evaluation: students will demonstrate items that are recyclable/non-recyclable during game. Also, students will demonstrate what they have learned at end of
lesson while independently making a list of items that may be recycled.

EXPLANATION

Questions/techniques to generate thinking/introduce the concept of recycling:

1) Who can tell me what it means to recycle?
2) Can I recycle anything? (then transition into intro activity with real-life examples of things that can/cannot be recycled)
3) What are some items that can be recycled? What are some items that cannot be recycled? (then transition into class game focusing on
distinguishing between items that are recyclable or non-recyclable)
Higher order thinking questions:
1) Why should I recycle?

5E Lesson Plan
2)
3)

How does recycling really help the environment?

What would happen if I decided to just throw everything away, instead of recycling?

ELABORATION

With this hands-on lesson, students will develop a more sophisticated knowledge of the concept of recycling because they are practicing what they
are learning, rather than just listening to someone talk about it. Students will generate their own ideas and thinking, practice what they are learning,
and then independently apply the concepts learned into their own lives.

What vocabulary will be introduced and how will it connect to students observations?
Recycling
Recyclable
Non-recyclable
*With a knowledge of these vocabulary terms, students will understand the concept of recycling and how to apply it in their lives.

Application:
Students will be able to apply this knowledge to their daily lives by taking the concepts learned and recycling on their own. They will be able to
determine items that should or should not be recycled and implement recycling in their home, school, and community.

EVALUATION

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the concept of recycling by distinguishing between items that are recyclable and non-recyclable
through the hands-on game that will occur following class discussion. In addition, students will demonstrate what they have learned through the I Can
Recycle Worksheet where they will independently list 8 items that can be recycled at the end of the lesson.