ALCA Members PLC Domains Data Standards Map Plan Curriculum Assessment Strategies

Can Litter Disappear? Teacher's Guide Copy

Does your school have a litter problem? Many people drop trash without even considering the consequences. Does it just disappear? Is it really biodegradable? Students will test the biodegradability of litter they find on their playground and record the results. Students will decide how they can make a positive impact on their community in regards to litter.

Required Resources

  • Materials
    Litter, clear jars with lids, water, and journals (electronic or paper).

Optional Resources

  • Technology

    A digital camera to take pictures of litter in jars.

  • Oklahoma Litter Hotline

    This web site has instructions for reporting litter and those who litter. There are also links to related web sites and information on the litter problem in Oklahoma.
     

  • Cigarette Litter
    The web site reports data on the extent of cigarette litter and give suggestions to reduce it.

  • Keep America Beautiful
    Litter is a part of the concern of this web site, the broader goal of which is to clean up, fix up, and keep the U. S. beautiful and environmentally healthy.

  • Answer the following questions.

  • Teacher may assess student journals. The journal entries should include date, picture, and how the litter has changed. At the end of the unit, the teacher may use the rubric to assess student learning.

Steps

  1. Hands-on Activity

    Collect litter from the playground.

  2. Hands-on Activity

    Cut each piece of litter to approximately the same size. 

  3. Hands-on Activity

    Tape a piece of litter to the outside of a jar for comparison.

  4. Observation

    Compare the litter inside the jar to the litter on the outside of the jar.

  5. Hands-on Activity

    Place litter in a small jar half filled with water, screw the lid on, and shake it for 30 seconds.
     

  6. Observation

    Without moving the jars, observe the litter inside and outside the jars daily and record your observations.

  7. Hands-on Activity

    Leave the jars untouched for one week. Then, at the end of one week, shake the jars for 30 seconds.
     

  8. Compare

    Compare the litter inside the jar to the litter outside the jar again.

  9. Recording Data

    Record data in journal.

Learner Notes

  • Find one piece of paper litter.

  • Cut the litter into two pieces.

  • Tape one piece of litter to the outside of the jar.

  • Fill the jar with water and put the other piece of litter inside the jar.

  • Close the lid, set the jar on a shelf or table top, and observe daily. At the end of one week, shake the jar for 30 seconds; observe the results again.

  • Compare the litter inside the jar to the litter outside the jar.

  • Record your information.

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