Volume & Capacity

Reducing our Plastic Waste

We have been learning about reducing plastic waste this term. The two simple ways we have been able to do this is making fabric bags and beeswax wrap. We used fabric bags instead of single use plastic bags. We used sewing machines to complete this task. It was the first time I've ever used a sewing machine. The bees wax wrap is easy to make. First grate the bees wax and put it into a container. Then put baking paper on a ironing board. Get your fabric and put it on the baking paper then put the wax on like cheese. Then put another sheet of baking on top. Then iron over it, hang it up to dry, done! Simple.
Both of these ideas are quick and easy and good for the environment. Looking after the environment is the main reason why we made them (and because they look better than plastic bags and glad wrap). I love this activity and I would be looking forward to do another project like this.

Photos:

     

 

Where To Next? Literacy Task

Where To Next?  Connected, Level 4

Turning Old into New

Literacy

Science/Social Science learning goals

We are learning to understand about the environments around us and the negative of positive
impact our actions can have on these environments.

Success criteria;

• identify and explain some of the issues facing our environment today
• identify some of the negative impacts humans are having on the environment
• identify some positive actions people are taking both here and around the world to try and
• help look after our environment.  
• identify some positive actions we can take at school and in our own lives to help our
• environment.
• learn about our local bush track and creek and identify some ways in which we can help
• to look after (kaitiakitanga) these areas.

Reading Learning Goals

-I am learning to use sub-headings to guide me to the main ideas in text.

-I am learning to use illustrations, text boxes, charts and graphs to help me make inferences so I
get more information from the text.

-I am learning to use more than one text, in print or electronic formats, to gather and check the
accuracy of information.

-I am learning to read a wide range of texts (e.g. encyclopaedias, websites, newspapers) to
gather and check information on a topic.

-I am learning to explain why the author has written a text.

-I am learning to read and understand text that contains academic and topic-specific vocabulary.

Read the text, ‘Turning Old Into New’ and then complete the following activities.

1. Why is recycling a good idea? Because if we didn’t it would create bad gases and
2. recycling reduces pollution.

2. How many tons of rubbish do New Zealanders send to landfills every year? New
3. Zealanders send 2.5 million tonnes of rubbish to landfills each year.

3. When rubbish breaks down what gas does it produce?  What environmental problem
4. does this contribute to? Rubbish produces Ch4, CO2 and N2O. Methane, Carbon dioxide
5. and Nitrous oxide. Which contributes to global warming.

4. Complete this sentence:  Everything we use is made from Earth’s     Natural    Resources

5. Explain where these resources come from;

Wood: Wood comes from trees and plants.

Metal: Earth’s crust that is mined

Plastic: Oil and other natural materials

6) How does oil form? Oil forms from the remains of plants and animals that lived long ago,
like dinosaurs.

7) What are some of the things glass can be recycled into? Countertops and tile flooring.

8) What are some of the things cardboard can be recycled into? Cardboard can be recycled
into towels, tissues, paperboard and cereal boxes.

9) What can plastic with the number 1 be recycled into? Plastic with number 1 on it can be
made into clothing.

10)  Attach a google drawing here that explains how number 1 plastics can be turned into
clothing.
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1ALUBpUYZ3YnM1s_4slYNTpIz83HhzzxBoVcOeXsQLpc/edit

11) What are microfibers and what is the problem with them? Microfibers are tiny fibres found
in our own clothing. The problem is that they go into the ocean via the sewage systems and
the sea life eat the tiny microfibers.

12) What is Earth Overshoot day? Earth Overshoot day is a day when they mark the date when
we have used up all their Earth’s natural resources that the earth can reproduce in one year.

Glossary - Write what these words mean

Atoms: The smallest particle of substance.

Carded: Aligned to the same direction

Global Warming: An increase in the Earth’s average temperature due to increased levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere

Malt: Barley or other grain that has been used for brewing beer.

Natural resources: Materials found in nature. Example: air, water, gas and plants

Synthetic: Something made by people by combining different chemicals.

In class we will be working on projects looking at issues around rubbish and what we can do to help reduce this problem.  

Video Links

NZ Recycling Crises

Diver Filming Swimming Through Plastic

The Pacific Garbage Patch

Reducing Waste Infographic

Science/Social Science learning goals

We are learning to understand about the environments around us and the negative of
positive impact our actions can have on these environments.

Success criteria;
identify some positive actions we can take at school and in our own lives to help
our environment.

Task: Create an infographic showing people how they can reduce their waste in their lunchbox.   

Our co-constructed success criteria:

-Have a strong title/hook

-Use convincing language and images

-Have simple things people can do

-Use images (free to use)

-Use bullet points/ short sharp information

-Use correct punctuation and spelling.