The choices we make everyday can make a difference in the amount of material funneled through various waste streams. Rather than telling students this information, allow them to sort and classify the trash with little prior discussion. Their subsequent discussion will provide a format for content information to emerge based on student input and interests. Encourage students to determine their own methods of categorizing and reporting the data. Each group of students selects a bag and weighs it.
Students remove the trash from the bag, sort the trash and determine categories.
After discussing the contents, they complete the Data Collection worksheet and return the trash to the bag. Each student completes the Student Response worksheet. Each group then shares its findings with the rest of the class and posts the data sheet. Construct a class data chart to compile the data and compare the results from each group. Assign the Home Garbage Survey for homework.