1. Plastic:
past, present, and future
Lesson plan for World Oceans Day
June 8th

2. Lesson objective: Students learn to identify different materials, learn about plastic’s uses, its impact upon the environment, and what we can do to help reduce plastic use. Time taken: 5 minutes introduction, 10 minutes per activity Resources needed: A copy of Plastic: past, present, and future, everyday objects made of plastic

3. Curriculum Links Year 2 pupils should be taught to:
identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses
Year 4 pupils should be taught to:
Explore examples of human impact (both positive and negative) on environments.

4. Cross-curricular links:
Literacy – learn new words for different materials
Geography — naming and locating the world’s seven continents and five oceans
Writing — writing narratives about real events.

5. Introduction (5 minutes)
Show the cover of the book: have a discussion about what the book might be about. Ask everyone if they understand what plastic is, providing examples of objects made of plastic, and objects that aren’t.

6. Activity 1: Different materials
Read pages 2-11 of Plastic (beginning ‘On the night of January 10 … ’ and ending ‘How about we take a walk…’) Look at all the household objects on pages made of plastic, and look for objects made out of plastic in the classroom. Why are these objects are made of plastic? If they were made of wood, metal, or glass, what would happen? Would they work as well?

7. Activity 2: Recycling practice
Read pages (beginning ‘What can we do about plastic pollution?’) Does everyone understand what recycling is and why it’s important? Collect lots of different kinds household waste and mix it all together in a tub or laid out on the floor. Instead of using real food waste, use toy fruit and vegetables, or illustrations. Have the class sort the rubbish into separate tubs or bins that represent compost, recycling, and landfill. Extra activity: You could use this activity to spark a class discussion about ways to reuse waste instead of throwing it out or recycling it.

8. Activity 3: The Wayfaring Toys
Tell the story of one of the plastic toys that spilled into the ocean that night in Chart its journey from the western Pacific Ocean to one of the many arrival points of the toys – Alaska, South America, Hawaii, Scotland, and even stuck in Arctic ice. What could have happened to them on their journey? Students could write short stories individually or act their stories out in groups.

9. Additional ideas for World Oceans Day
Organise a toy swap day at your school so you can have a new toy without impacting on the environment. Plan a community clean-up day with your family and friends to pick up litter in your neighbourhood and recycle it correctly.