{"id":1798,"date":"2009-09-19T23:13:47","date_gmt":"2009-09-20T04:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/1798"},"modified":"2009-09-19T23:13:47","modified_gmt":"2009-09-20T04:13:47","slug":"teaching-earth-science-with-childrens-literature-recycle-a-handbook-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/2009\/09\/19\/teaching-earth-science-with-childrens-literature-recycle-a-handbook-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Earth Science with Children’s Literature: Recycle! A Handbook for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids<\/a>, written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons<\/a>, is a step-by-step guide for recycling written in a kid-friendly and inviting way.<\/p>\n

The book opens up with a simple explanation of how the trash we make ends up in landfills and all of the problems associated with this practice. Gibbons writes, “One solution is to cut down on the amount of trash we make. We can do this by recycling some of our garbage to make it into new things.” She continues the book by providing descriptions of\u00a0the paper, glass, aluminum cans, plastics, and polystyrene consumers use as well as the different steps kids can take to recycle items made of those materials. Most importantly, Gibbons explains the positive effects\u00a0that recycling objects made of those materials can have on the environment. The book concludes with statistics designed to make students aware of how much waste the United States produces each year such as, “New York City alone throws out enough garbage each day to fill the Empire State Building.” The fun-facts also show students how recycling can\u00a0help save the environment. “Every ton\u00a0of paper that is recycled saves seventeen trees.”<\/p>\n

Students will find the suggestions Gail Gibbons <\/a>sprinkles throughout her book,\u00a0Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids<\/a>, fun and easy to do and will feel good about putting them into practice.<\/p>\n

Curriculum Connections\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids<\/a> is a\u00a0perfect guide to introducing young students in kindergarten and first grade\u00a0to the concept that everyday materials can be reused, recycled, and conserved (VA SOL K.10a&b) and that recycling reduces our consumption of natural resources (VA SOL 1.8c).<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n