Recycling Relay Activity Guide

Objective:

• Students will practice sorting common recyclable materials into correct categories while collaborating in teams.

Audience: Grade 3–5 Elementary Students
Time: 15 minutes

Materials:

• Recycling Relay Cards
• Four bins labeled Paper, Plastic, Metal, Compost
• Timer or stopwatch

Prep (5 minutes):

• Place the four labeled bins along one wall of the room.
• Shuffle and pile the Recycling Relay Cards at the opposite side.
• Divide students into equal teams and have each team form a single-file line behind the start line.

Instructions:

1. Start the Relay

   • On “Go,” the first student in each line runs to the card pile, picks one card, and races to place it in the correct bin.
   • They run back and tag the next teammate.
   • Continue until all cards are sorted or the timer ends.

2. Teamwork & Speed

   • Encourage students to cheer teammates on and remind them of the bin labels if they struggle.
   • If a card lands in the wrong bin, students may retrieve and re-sort it on their next turn.

Assessment & Debrief (5 minutes):

• Check each bin for correctly sorted cards and tally points for each team.
• Ask: “Which materials were hardest to sort and why?”
• Discuss one surprising fact about recycling and why sorting correctly helps our environment.
• Reinforce how small actions—like proper recycling—make a big difference when we work together.

Post this activity alongside the Environmental Stewardship Poster to keep the message visible and lasting in your classroom!

Eco-Action Brainstorm

Discussion Guidelines

• Speak one at a time and listen respectfully.
• Share ideas—even if they seem small!
• Build on a classmate’s suggestion: “Yes—and…”
• Record all ideas; there are no wrong answers.

1. Reflect on Our Recycling Relay (5 minutes)

• Prompt: “What was the easiest material to sort? Which one was hardest?”
• Follow-up: “How do we make sure all school bins are used correctly?”

Student Responses:

Potential Talking Points:

• Clear labels on bins
• Color-coding or pictures
• A short poster reminder (Environmental Stewardship Poster) near each bin

2. Connect Planting to Caring (5 minutes)

• Prompt: “How did it feel to plant a seed and watch it grow?”
• Follow-up: “What does that teach us about taking care of our environment?”

Student Responses:

Potential Talking Points:

• Patience and responsibility (daily watering)
• Noticing changes over time
• Everyone’s small actions help something grow

3. Generate New Eco-Actions (10 minutes)

• Prompt: “Brainstorm one project we could start in our class or at home to help the Earth.”
• Encourage ideas in three categories:
  1. Reduce Waste (e.g., snack wrappers, single-use cups)
  2. Conserve Resources (e.g., water, electricity)
  3. Grow & Give Back (e.g., class herb garden, neighborhood clean-up)

Student Responses: (Use bullet points)

4. Choose & Plan an Action (5 minutes)

• After listing ideas, vote on one top project.
• Ask:
  • “Who will lead the project?”
  • “What materials or help do we need?”
  • “When can we start?”

Planning Notes:

Extension & Next Steps

• Form small teams to research and prepare posters or presentations.
• Set up a weekly check-in to track progress (watering schedules, waste audits).
• Share updates in morning announcements or a school newsletter.

Use your Student Reflection Worksheet to record your chosen action, team roles, and timeline.

Remember: Every action—big or small—helps our community and planet thrive!