As we approach Earth Day on April 22nd, it is important to reflect on our impact on the environment and how we can make positive changes.
While it is a great opportunity to focus on ecology and sustainability, it’s important to remember that these things should be incorporated into our daily routines. Teaching about the environment should not be limited to a single day or week, but rather integrated into our curriculums and woven into the fabric of our classrooms.
Recycling paper is one of such simple but important green habits and routines. It is a way to reduce waste and conserve resources. Not only does recycling paper help to save trees, but it also reduces the amount of energy, water, and chemicals needed to produce new paper.
Paper recycling helps to instill in children a sense of responsibility for the environment.
To help teach children about the importance of recycling paper and to explain all the process in detail, I have created Montessori 4-part cards that show the different steps of the paper recycling process.
But first, let’s discuss some ways how you can recycle paper in the classroom:
- Use both sides of the paper: Encourage children to use both sides of a piece of paper when drawing or writing. This will help to reduce the amount of paper used and ultimately reduce waste.
- Create a recycling bin: Set up a recycling bin in the classroom for paper products. Label it clearly and encourage children to put paper in the bin instead of the trash.
- Make recycled paper: Use old paper to create new paper. There are many tutorials available online that show you how to do this. This activity not only teaches children about the importance of recycling, but it also encourages creativity and imagination. Check out this blog post about creating recycled paper from How We Montessori.
- Use scrap paper for art projects: Instead of using new paper for art projects, encourage children to use scrap paper. This will not only help to reduce waste but it will also encourage creativity and resourcefulness.
- Compost paper: If your classroom has a compost bin, consider adding shredded paper to it. This will help to enrich the soil and reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills.
These cards are a great way to introduce children to the concept of recycling paper and help them understand the exact process.
The cards cover the collection, sorting, shredding and pulping, screening, de-inking, drying, rolling, and finished product stages.
Here are some ideas on how you can use the cards in your classroom:
Vocabulary activity: Use the cards as a way to introduce new vocabulary words related to recycling paper. For example, you can introduce words like “pulping” and “de-inking” and have the children learn what they mean.
Matching activity: Have the children match the pictures to the correct step in the recycling process.
Sequencing activity: Have the children put the cards in order.
Creating mini-books: Black-and-white booklet templates give children an opportunity to color the images, write the names and create their own unique mini paper recycling books.
By making sustainability a regular topic of discussion, we can help instill in our students a sense of responsibility and concern for the environment that will carry over into their daily lives. Let’s make every day Earth Day and prioritize teaching about ecology on a daily basis.