Reduce, reuse, recycle is an old phrase that should come back with all the emphasis on “going green” today. Instead of taking one day or even one week to focus on being environmentally conscious, finding ways to teach children of the next generation how to take care of the world in which they live should be a continuous lesson all year long. Here are some ideas that can help towards that endeavor.
Recycling
There are several ways to recycle both at home with your children and in the classroom with your students. Conservation or reducing the amount of paper used is an important part of recycling. One important way to help conserve is to use both sides of paper when you are taking notes, writing papers and so forth. Another idea is to have a scrap paper box in which you can place a paper that has a clean side to write on. Then, instead of throwing away papers that cannot be used again, recycle!
Trash Free Lunches
Teach your students to pack a trash free lunch to reduce the amount of trash thrown away in the cafeteria. Bringing lunch in a lunch box or reusable bag instead of paper is a good start. Instead of a napkin, students can pack a washcloth to wipe their face and hands with. Fresh fruits and homemade foods such as sandwiches are excellent and healthier alternatives to the prepackaged foods and snacks. Waste Free Lunches explains more about how to prepare a trash free lunch.
Turn It Off
Encourage your students to turn off the lights whenever the leave a room to help save energy. Also encourage your students to turn off those electronics when they are not in use to prevent wasting energy. Finally, conserving water usage is important as well, so have students make sure that the faucets are not dripping or left on in the bathroom, and that the toilets do not continue to run longer than they should.
Hygiene
Stopping the spread of germs and infections is as important as conservation and recycling when it comes to the concept of “saving the planet”. Teach children to use soap when washing their hands, and how to wash long enough to kill the germs. Learn when it is important to wash your hands: after sneezing, coughing, going to the bathroom, etc. Find out more about teaching about germs.
Read more about going green at school.
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