Estimated Time Required :
1 - 2 sessions depending on children's interest.
Materials :
(Open-ended) Recyclable materials for works of art plus supplies for creating artworks including glue, glue stick, pencils, crayons, markers, paint, string, yarn, scissors, rulers, tape, staple gun (with supervision), etc.
Directions :
Send a note home to parents stating that the children will be creating a piece of art out of recyclable materials. Ask families to send to school any clean recycled materials that they think would be appropriate for an art project. This project is open-ended depending on materials available to the class. As a classroom teacher, you can also be saving things to contribute to the "junk pile." This activity is also an ideal one for parents to do with young children at home.
- Display recyclable items on a table with supplies nearby.
- Provide an opportunity for children to examine the items and think about what they might like to create.
- Brainstorm ideas as a group while modeling the creative process.
- Then, ask each children to choose one or more recyclable items for experimenting using their imagination. Children may decide to return items to try new ones. Allow them time to create and guide as needed.
- Create an art museum in the classroom and invite other classes to visit the "Museum of Recycled Art!" (Parents at home can use a special room in the house as the museum.)
Preparation :
Send note home to parents stating that the children will be creating a piece of art out of recyclable materials.
Creator :
This activity was submitted by Marie Sciretta, first grade teacher.
Credits :
This recycling activity was part of a collaborative effort with other teachers in my school.
