Get Dramatic: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
How do visual and theater arts convey issues about the environment?
In this 3-5 lesson students will explore the concepts behind the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” slogan. They will examine the process of recycling and perform a commercial with a backdrop made of recycled materials.
Lesson Content
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Investigate how communities reduce, reuse and recycle.
- Analyze objects that can be recycled and how to recycle.
- Determine individual roles in the recycling process.
- Write and perform a commercial on the benefits of recycling
- Create a stage set backdrop for a commercial using recyclable materials.
- Write an informative text using facts and details to support statements.
- Participate in small-group and whole-class discussions.
Standards Alignment
Recommended Student Materials
Editable Documents: Before sharing these resources with students, you must first save them to your Google account by opening them, and selecting “Make a copy” from the File menu. Check out Sharing Tips or Instructional Benefits when implementing Google Docs and Google Slides with students.
Videos
Websites
Teacher Background
Teachers should review the information and facts.
Student Prerequisites
Students should have some knowledge about recycling and have knowledge about dramatic play.
Accessibility Notes
Modify handouts, text, and utilize assistive technologies as needed. Provide preferential seating for visual presentations and allow extra time for task completion.
Engage
- Show students the video, or . Tell students that they are going to learn about recycling. As students view the video, have them record items that can be recycled in their journals.
- Engage students in a discussion about the video. Ask students: What can be made from recycled plastic? What can be made from recycled aluminum? What can kids do to help reduce garbage? What happens to trash? What is a landfill? What is pollution? What does contaminate mean? How does using a lunchbox or reusable container help the environment? What does “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” mean? What is the message of the video? Discuss students' answers and clarify and explain any concepts that the students do not understand.
- Compile a list of recyclable materials on the board or chart paper. Ask the students to share examples from the video of items that can be recycled. Have students share other items that can be recycled. Post the list of recyclable materials and encourage the class to add items to it throughout the remainder of the lesson.
- Divide students into groups of four. Using the , have students research and gather information about how recycling is handled within their community, home, and school.
Build
- Sort the recycled materials in collaborative groups. Provide each group with an assortment of recyclable materials to sort. Allow groups time to discuss how they will sort their materials.
- Share the resource, . Allow time for students to investigate and discuss the recycling symbols. Review each numbered recycling symbol and point out which materials fall into that category.
- Brainstorm ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials. Ask students: Which plastics are difficult to recycle? Have students examine their materials and think of ways they can be reused or reduced. For example, a plastic container could be reused as a planter or the use of plastic bags could be reduced by switching to cloth bags. Have groups share their ideas with the class.
Apply
- Reconvene the students in their small groups. Tell the class that their task is to write and perform a one-minute television commercial about the benefits of recycling. Students will also design a backdrop for their commercial that incorporates recyclable materials. Review the steps of the and share the criteria with the class.
- Brainstorm ideas for the script. Using the , each group should brainstorm ideas for their commercial and then agree on a main message, characters, and setting/action. Facilitate through each group to provide feedback as they work on their plan.
- Write dialogue for the commercial. Model dialogue for students by role-playing, then have groups begin to write dialogue for the characters. Tell the students to write down the exact words that they want their characters to say in the commercial.
- Brainstorm ideas for the backdrop. Provide each group with a project display board for their backdrop. Tell students that their backdrop should reflect the setting they chose. Students will use art supplies and recyclable materials to create their backdrop. Give groups time to discuss and sketch their backdrop plan. Check-in with each group to offer feedback on their backdrop.
- Create a commercial backdrop. Students should sketch or outline their design on the project display board before they begin painting or attaching objects. Students should also decide if they want to include basic props or costumes.
- Rehearse commercial. Allow students time to practice and time their commercials. Students have the option to memorize or not memorize their lines.
Reflect
- Present commercials. Have each group present their commercial in front of an audience. Students can optionally video record their commercial. Assess students using the .
- After each group is finished, engage students in a discussion. Was the backdrop effective in communicating the setting? What was the main message? What parts of the dialogue helped you to understand the main message?
- Assess students’ knowledge with a written response. What impact does recycling have on the environment? How can one person’s actions make a difference? How do visual and media arts change the way we think about our recycling habits?
Extend
- Create sculptures from recycled plastics. Have students watch and explore the site, . Engage students in a discussion about ocean pollution. Ask students: What impact do humans have on the oceans? How do artists raise awareness about environmental issues? Using recycled materials, have students create sculptures out of recycled materials collected from their home, community, or school grounds.
-
Original Writer
Maureen Carroll
-
Adaptation
Jill Gerlman
-
Editor
JoDee Scissors
-
Updated
July 27, 2021
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.