Build excitement across the school with a door-decorating contest that uses only reused materials.
Grade Level: K-6
Learning Objectives:
- Name the 3Rs and explain how they help reduce waste
- Explain how working together can increase positive environmental impact
During this activity students will:
- Review the 3Rs and their connection to waste reduction
- Put in practice reuse by holding a school-wide door-decorating contest using only reused materials
- Share the results of the contest with the school community
Instructions
- Begin by asking students what they already know about the 3Rs. Discuss their ideas as a class, then introduce how one way to creatively reuse materials is by turning them into works of art.
- Explain that you are going to organize a school-wide door decorating contest with only reused materials. As a class, decide on the details of your contest:
- Theme: Thanksgiving, Halloween, Remembrance Day, December holidays, etc.
- When: Determine the preparation period and judging day.
- Judging criteria: Be clear about how the doors will be judged, such as creativity, use of reused materials, originality and respecting the theme.
- Prizes: Determine a prize. For example: shout out during school announcements, extra gym period, class movie afternoon, pyjama day, etc.
- Get the word out about the contest through announcements, posters, and/or visiting classes explaining why only reused materials are allowed. Make sure to let everyone know far enough in advance so they can begin to collect materials.
- On judging day, look at all the entries together and decide on the winner(s). Don’t forget to take some pictures! Share the results and highlight how choosing to reuse materials is a wise choice for the environment.