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NO MORE PLASTIC (Sensory Bin)

SUBJECTS Language Arts, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL Primary (K-3)
PLEDGE 3 - Plastic Harm to Water

Resources Needed:

  1. No More Plastic by Alma Fullerton
  2. This lesson is best following No More Plastic (Introduction)
  3. Large bin or water table half filled
  4. Toy sea animals (turtles, whales, dolphins, fish, etc.), vegetation, stones, small plastic pieces/containers, plastic bags cut into strips, netting from fruit or vegetable bags, plastic cutlery, etc.

Introduction:

  1. Read, No More Plastic by Alma Fullerton.
  2. Ask students, What do you think are some of the challenges sea animals (turtles, whales, fish, etc.) have with the growing amount of plastic in their habitats? Have students first discuss with a partner, or in a small group, and then take up as a class sharing ideas.

Lesson:

  1. Tell students that they are going to have a chance to experience what it might be like to be a sea animal living with plastic waste all around them.
  2. In small groups, students take turns ‘playing’ in the sensory bin. Give students tasks such as:
    • Finding a specific sea animal lost in the plastic (Can you find the turtle?)
    • Moving a sea animal from one spot to another (i.e., Help the turtle find his family.)
  3. Have students talk about any frustrations they experienced. How do you think the animals feel with all of this garbage in their habitat? What frustrations might they feel? Give examples of what would be frustrating. How might all of this plastic pollution affect how they eat and live?

Follow Up Activities:

  1. This activity could also be set up in two phases: Begin with a healthy marine habitat and then students arrive the next day to find plastic waste taking over the same habitat.
  2. Discuss with students ways they might be able to help.