Math+Recycling+–+Graphing,+Citizenship,+Responsibility-Adkins

Title: Math Recycling – Graphing, Citizenship, Responsibility

 * By: Arthea Adkins**
 * Grade Level: 5-8**

This lesson can be used to follow a graphing unit as a culminating project. You can modify the types of graphs and details required according to grade level. Prior arrangements will need to be made for a field trip to a local park or for a walking field trip in the community. You will also need chaperones to monitor each group of students.


 * Objectives**: Students will…

1. show good citizenship and responsibility by picking up litter in their community.

2. use a tally sheet to record and later graph the types and amounts of trash collected.


 * Procedures:**


 * Day 1**

1. Discuss how litter affects the community and list ideas on the board or chart paper. 2. Ask students to brainstorm what they can do to keep their community clean. 3. Talk about how this is all part of being a good, responsible citizen…keeping community clean by throwing trash in proper bins and picking up trash when you see it. 4. Let students know that we are going on a field trip to…a local park, area of community, etc.. 5. Display tally sheet on overhead or Smart Board. Discuss with students what they will be doing with their groups. 6. Let students know what groups they are going to be working in (3-4students). Each group will have three jobs. 1. Recorder – record data (1 person) 2. Collector – collect trash (1-2 people) 3. Carrier - carry trash bag (1 person) 7. Discuss responsible field trip behavior.

=Day 2=

Teacher must take trash bags, pencils and tally sheets on field trip to distribute on location.

1. When you get on location, gather students in a group for beginning instructions a. have students get with their group b. go over instructions…where they are allowed to go, times to meet back up (if groups are split up with a chaperone) c. pass out materials and begin collecting trash d. have students give trash to a chaperone or teacher when bag is full and get another bag if necessary. e. Collect papers and pencils from students before leaving.

=Days 3-5=

1. Discuss what students found…how much, most found items, largest items, etc. Have students share feelings about finding so much litter. 2. Pass out graphing instructions to each group. Have each group make a different type of graph based on types of graphs taught. (ex: bar graph, pictograph, circle graph, etc.) Graphs should be made on poster board with an anti-littering theme to display in the hallway.


 * Assessments:**

1. Trash collected 2. Tally Sheet 3. Graphs 4. Discussion


 * Special Materials**: worksheets, art supplies, poster boards, trash bags

Ohio Academic Content Standards: Data Analysis and Probability Standard 1. Create a plan for collecting data for a specific purpose. 2. Represent and interpret data using tables, bar graphs, line plots and line graphs. 5. Propose and explain interpretations and predictions based on data displayed in tables, charts and graphs.