• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
  • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Bin It to Win It

user image

Sari Batari School

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Trash Detectives Plan

Students will become ‘Trash Detectives’ by learning to sort waste into Recycle, Compost, and Landfill bins through an interactive game and pledge, building proper disposal habits.

Proper waste sorting reduces pollution, conserves resources, and fosters environmental responsibility. Teaching these habits early encourages lifelong sustainable practices.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive sorting game, group discussion, and personal pledge.

Materials

Trash Sorting Cards, - Trash Detectives Poster, - Trash Disposal Pledge Sheet, - Three Labeled Bins (Recycle, Compost, Landfill), and - Chart Paper and Markers

Prep

Gather and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut out Trash Sorting Cards
  • Print and display Trash Detectives Poster
  • Print a Trash Disposal Pledge Sheet for each student
  • Label three bins: Recycle, Compost, Landfill
  • Gather chart paper and markers for discussion

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain today’s goal: become ‘Trash Detectives’
  • Show the Trash Detectives Poster and ask why proper disposal matters
  • Elicit student responses and briefly discuss environmental impact of littering

Step 2

Trash Sorting Game

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3–4 per group)
  • Give each group a set of Trash Sorting Cards
  • Place three labeled bins (Recycle, Compost, Landfill) at the front
  • Groups take turns selecting a card, deciding its category, and placing it in the correct bin
  • After each turn, confirm placements and provide feedback

Step 3

Group Discussion

5 minutes

  • Reconvene and review any challenging items from the sorting game
  • Discuss real-life examples of properly disposing of common items
  • Highlight environmental benefits of correct sorting

Step 4

Reflection and Pledge

5 minutes

  • Distribute Trash Disposal Pledge Sheets
  • Ask students to write one personal commitment for proper disposal
  • Invite volunteers to share their pledges with the class
  • Collect sheets to display as a classroom reminder
lenny

Lesson Plan

Bin It to Win It Lesson Plan

Students will learn to sort and dispose of trash correctly by engaging in a team relay game, reflecting on real‐life examples, and making a personal commitment to proper disposal habits.

Proper trash disposal reduces pollution, protects wildlife, and fosters responsibility. Teaching these skills in 5th grade builds lifelong habits for a cleaner environment.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive sorting game, group reflection, and personal pledge.

Materials

  • Trash Sorting Cards, - Bin It to Win It Poster, - Trash Disposal Promise Sheet, - Three Labeled Bins (Recycle, Compost, Landfill), and - Chart Paper and Markers

Prep

Gather and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut out Trash Sorting Cards
  • Print and display the Bin It to Win It Poster
  • Print a Trash Disposal Promise Sheet for each student
  • Label three bins: Recycle, Compost, Landfill
  • Set up chart paper and markers for discussion
  • Review all materials to ensure everything is ready

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain they’ll become waste champions in “Bin It to Win It”
  • Show the Bin It to Win It Poster and ask: Why does proper trash disposal matter?
  • Solicit examples of litter issues and environmental impacts

Step 2

Sorting Relay Game

15 minutes

  • Divide students into teams of 4
  • Give each team a stack of Trash Sorting Cards
  • Place three labeled bins at one end of the room: Recycle, Compost, Landfill
  • On “Go,” one student from each team races to pick a card, decides the correct bin, and tosses it in
  • Rotate players until all cards are sorted
  • Review placements as a class, correcting any mistakes and reinforcing why each item belongs in its bin

Step 3

Reflection Discussion

5 minutes

  • Gather students and revisit any challenging cards from the game
  • Discuss proper disposal of common items at home and school
  • Record key ideas on chart paper for visual reinforcement

Step 4

Commitment Pledge

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Trash Disposal Promise Sheet
  • Ask students to write one personal action they will take to ensure proper disposal
  • Invite volunteers to share their pledges with the class
  • Collect and display promise sheets as a classroom reminder
lenny

Slide Deck

Bin It to Win It

Become Waste Champions by sorting and disposing of trash correctly.

Welcome students to our lesson “Bin It to Win It.” Use an enthusiastic tone. Introduce yourself as their guide today and show the Bin It to Win It Poster. Explain that by the end of this session they’ll be real waste champions.

Why Proper Trash Disposal Matters

  • Reduces pollution in our community
  • Protects wildlife from harmful litter
  • Conserves resources through recycling

Ask: “Why does proper trash disposal matter?” Solicit a few volunteer answers. Then highlight the key environmental benefits listed on the slide.

Sorting Relay Game Instructions

  • Divide into teams of 4 students each
  • Give each team a stack of Trash Sorting Cards
  • Bins placed at one end: Recycle, Compost, Landfill
  • On “Go,” one team member runs, sorts a card, and returns to tag the next player
  • Continue until all cards are sorted
  • We’ll review and correct any mistakes together

Explain the rules step by step. Make sure bins are visible at the front. Encourage fair play, teamwork, and speed.

Reflection Discussion

  • Which items did you find tricky to sort?
  • How do you sort these items at home or at school?
  • Why does sorting correctly help the environment?

Lead a guided discussion. Ask which cards were confusing and why. Record student ideas on chart paper.

Make Your Commitment

  • Take a Trash Disposal Promise Sheet
  • Write one personal action to dispose trash properly
  • Share your pledge with the class
  • We’ll display these sheets as reminders

Distribute the Trash Disposal Promise Sheet to each student. Ask them to write a specific action they’ll take. Invite a few volunteers to read their pledges aloud.

Great Job, Trash Champions!

Thank you for participating.
Remember: “Bin It to Win It” every day to keep our world clean!

Congratulate the class on their great work. Remind them to practice what they learned every day. Encourage them to hold each other accountable.

lenny

Worksheet

Trash Sorting Cards

Cut out each card along the dotted lines below. You’ll use these cards in the Bin It to Win It Lesson Plan for the sorting relay game.

🖼️ Banana Peel
(Organic)		🖼️ Newspaper
(Recycle)		🖼️ Plastic Bottle
(Recycle)		🖼️ Apple Core
(Organic)
🖼️ Glass Jar
(Recycle)		🖼️ Cardboard Box
(Recycle)		🖼️ Coffee Grounds
(Compost)		🖼️ Yogurt Cup
(Recycle)
🖼️ Metal Can
(Recycle)		🖼️ Orange Peel
(Organic)		🖼️ Chip Bag
(Landfill)		🖼️ Plastic Straw
(Landfill)

After cutting, mix all cards together for the relay game. Students will race to sort each card into the correct bin.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Trash Disposal Promise Sheet

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

My Trash Disposal Promise

I promise to:







Why This Promise Matters to Me

Because:




Student Signature: ________________________

lenny
lenny