The Recycle Alphabet: A First Grade Project*

Benchmarks:
Science: SE-E-A4 understanding that the original sources of all material
goods are natural resources and that the conserving and recycling
of natural resources is a form of stewardship.

Language Arts: SAGE Standards
Uses letter-sound correspondence (e.g., vowels, consonants, blends) and word parts to identify new words. Responds to simple text (e.g., verbally, graphically).

Distinguishes between fiction and nonfiction. Connects real-life and personal experiences to text by sharing and discussing. Explores and offers connections to real life through reading and writing in shared and guided contexts. Creates own text using simple sentences and pictures with a central idea for different audiences and purposes. Draws and writes spontaneously. Writes upper and lower case manuscript letters correctly. Understands, repeats, and follows multi-step oral directions. Uses standard English pronunciation and articulation. Hears sounds in spoken words and writes the
corresponding letter(s).

Concepts: Students will learn about words associated with recycling. Students will learn that families can recycle at home with the curbside program or with the monthly drop-off.

Objectives:

• To learn that recycling diverts material from the landfill.

• To recognize words associated with recycling.

• To practice language arts skills associated with science.

Material:
Per Student: THE RECYCLE ALPHABET sheet per student.

Procedure:

1. Conduct a class discussion. Explain the word recycling to the students. Ask students if they know what recycling is. Ask students if they help their families recycle.

2. Explain to students that today they are going to learn that every letter of the alphabet is associated with a recycling word or words.

3. Go through the alphabet and ask students to think of words associated with recycling or environmental commitment that start with a letter. A teacher sheet is provided to help you get a jump-start but the students will certainly have more ideas. Discuss how each letter is related to recycling and personal responsibility for the environment.

4. Once the students have gone through the alphabet, assign each student a letter.

5. Ask each student to write the capital and lower case letter in the upper right hand corner of the student sheet.

6. Then ask each student to draw a picture that represents the letter and something to do with recycling.

7. Put all of the artwork together to create an ABC book. Ask students to sign their own artwork.

Click here to download the Recycling ABCs
Click here to download The East Baton Rouge Recycling Program PDF

*Courtesy The East Baton Rouge Recycling Program