Annotated Bib - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Living on Earth, we have an important role in sustaining the environment in which we live. There are benefits to implementing reduce, reuse, and recycle into our daily routine that helps save resources and reduce pollution creating a healthy environment for plants, animals, and humans to thrive.

Books

The Earth and I by Frank Asch (2008). Sandpiper (978-0152063955). Gr.PK-2.
This book depicts our interconnectedness with the Earth with illustrations full of color to engage the reader or listener. The books tells the story of a little boy that befriends the Earth. As with any relationship, there are good days and bad days. When the Earth is feeling sad, the little boy sets out to find ways to make the Earth happy again.

Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel and illust. by Alexandra Columbo (2008).Idea & Design Works (9781600102240). Gr.K-3.
There is a new superhero to help save our planet one recycling bin at a time. His name is Michael and his mission is to teach everyone about the importance of recycling. Find out about all the exciting adventures Michael pursues in order to save the planet.


Recycle! by Gail Gibbons (1996). Little Brown Books for Readers ( 9780316309431 ). Gr.2-4.
A wonderful book to introduce the benefits of recycling to sustain a healthy planet to live and grow. Have you ever wondered what happens to all the garbage you throw away? Where does it ALL go? With landfill space diminishing, recycling is a functional way to re-purpose all the trash. With colorful illustrations explaining the various recyclable products and the descriptions of what YOU can do to help, all ages will be motivated to take part in saving the planet.

The Three R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle by Nuria Roca and illust. by Roas M. Curto (2007). Barron Educational Series (978-0764135811). Gr. PK-2.
A great book to motivate the reader or listener to participate in supporting a healthier environment. This book suggests the "little" things that can be done each day to reduce overuse of products or products that contribute to pollution. Try this: reuse shopping bags when you go grocery shopping. Already this will reduce the production of plastic and paper products made by factories. At the end of the book are fun "recycling" activities to do.

Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green and illust. by Mike Gordon (2005). Barron's Educational Series (978-0764131554). Gr. K-3.
Children should be aware of environmental issues, like the precariousness of the environment. The books tells the story of a little girl who sees her teacher one day recycling his trash. A sense of curiosity sets in and the next day in class, Mr.Jones explains to the class about the benefits of recycling. He takes the class on a field trip to a recycling center to demonstrate the necessity of supporting a healthier environment and the convenience of recycling various products for new purposes. Recycling can be fun too!

Web Resources

CVWMA: Educational and Teacher Resources
The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority is a public service authority that implements solid waste and recycling programs for central Virginia counties. This site provides educational material to teachers and students to facilitate the benefits of recycling starting with school age children. Teachers can find resources that provide links and curricular resources for k-12.


Kaboose: Funhouse-Michael Michael Recycle!
In this interactive game, the player helps Michael pick up the litter found around the park while preventing the "litterbugs" from dropping more trash on the ground.


Mr. Nussbaum's: Save the Planet- Recycling
In this interactive game, the player takes trash from the landfill and places them in the appropriate cans according to aluminum, paper, and/or plastics.



National Geographic Kids- Recycle Round-up
Help the chimp grab trash and recycle them in the appropriate bins according to aluminum, paper, and/or plastics. You have to go fast to beat the clock!!!

Virginia Trekkers: Visit a Recycling Center
Take an online field trip with the Virginia Trekkers to a recycling center. Four Virginia area teachers take students on online field trips to various historical, natural, and/or educational locations around Virginia. On your trip to the recycling center, you will learn the benefits to the environment when you recycle materials. Recycling is very easy and can be a lot of fun too! Now, you can have a hand in sustaining the environment for generations to come.




Teaching Resources
VA SOL 1.8
The student will investigate and understand that natural resources are limited.
c) recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption of natural resources.

• Many natural resources are limited and cannot be renewed. Other resources are limited and cannot be renewed, but they may last a very long time.

• Recycling recovers used materials. Many materials can be recycled and used again, sometimes in different forms. Recycling helps to save our natural resources. An example of a recycled material is newspapers that are turned into writing tablets.

• Reusing materials means using them more than once. Examples include using dishes and utensils that are washed after use rather than using paper plates and plastic utensils and putting them in the trash.

• Resources will last longer if we recycle them, reuse them, or reduce consumption of them.