Volunteers needed in May!   Click here to sign up.
 Site Areas: 
  HOME  
  ABOUT US  
  FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS  
  HOW TO HELP  
  NEWS  
  READING CLUBS  
Printer-friendly version   

What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet



Last updated Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Author: Jess French
Date of Publication: 2019
ISBN: 1465481419
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2021

Synopsis: Did you know that every single plastic toothbrush ever made still exists? Or that there is a floating mass of trash larger than the USA drifting around the Pacific Ocean?

It is not all bad news though. While this is a knowledge book that explains where we are going wrong, What a Waste also shows what we are getting right! Discover plans to save our seas. How countries are implementing green projects worldwide, and how to turn waste into something useful. The tiniest everyday changes can make all the difference to ensure our beautiful planet stays lush and teeming with life.


Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you see people doing things that are not good for our environment?
•  What do you think are bad things for our environment?
•  Do you want to have clean air and clean water? Why?

Vocabulary

•  Resources - natural things in our world we need to live --water, air, wood from our trees
•  Pollution - Things you put in the air or water that hurt our environment
•  Atmosphere- air around us--we breathe oxygen

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Have you seen people waste things before? What kind of things have you seen people waste?
•  What have you ever wasted anything? What kind of thing? What did you do next?
•  Have you ever tossed trash on the ground by mistake? What did you do next?
•  Would you try to save plastic or glass containers or jars to use again?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture of yourself doing something to save energy (turning off lights?)
•  Draw a picture of a fish who swallows a piece of plastic - so sad!
•  Draw a picture of a clean ocean with lots of happy fish (even sharks!)
•  Draw a picture of a park with big trees to give us shade.
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/july-2021the-wonders-of-science-technology/

Special activities:
•  Make 3 Rs using bright colors and a fancy design to help you remember:
•  - Reduce - use less water when we brush our teeth, take a bath or shower
•  - Reuse - Use a toilet paper roll to decorate like an animal with crayons; or wear an older friend's or sibling's outgrown clothing
•  - Recycle - Donate old clothes to GOOD WILL or Salvation Army to help others - turn in bottles and cans - compost

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!