Grades 4-6: Neighborhood Litter Map
Students will determine where litter exists near home and analyze and explain the most effective places to put trash containers.
Science Learning Outcomes:
Grades 4 - #14
Grades 6 - #17
Materials: Detailed street maps of your community (optional), Paper, glue, newspaper bags or grocery bags
Vocabulary: litter, container
Procedures:
- Students are to draw a map of their neighborhood or school grounds and walk with parents or friends around neighborhood to find litter. Depending upon sidewalks and public safety, you may want the students to use the school grounds. The students should mark on map where litter was located and what the item was, if known. Have students note if there are any trash cans near by. If it is clean and dry litter, students should collect the litter in a bag and bring into the class.
- Draw generic neighborhood using entire blackboard and include the school.
- Tape litter on the board in the similar places were the students found it. Try to use as much litter as the students brought in. For each piece ask: where did the litter come from such as a store, home, fast food? Was there a trash can in sight? What could have prevented the litter?
Conclusion: As a group, decide on the best places to put trash cans for public use. Examples are near stores, public gathering places, etc... Students should mark trash can locations on their neighborhood maps.
Time: two class periods and homework assignment
Followup: Have students create action steps on how they can to keep their neighborhood clean.
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