Reuse-Reduce-Recycle--> Sustainability-->Tree loving.

R week had many aspects, but perhaps the most important connect to recycling. Many of you recycle at home. Your children told me how many bins you have and in what color. They all eagerly shared where they donate unneeded items. Good for you!

In our classroom we have not been recycling. We do a lot of up-cycling, where we use items which would otherwise be considered waste, for a new and exciting purpose (like the cardboard tubing we used to make Yonah's big fish, the atzei hayim of Torah scrolls, and the megilah holder).  Sadly, all of our classroom waste has been going to the landfill. We 'R' changing that now.

First we chatted informally about where garbage goes and why we don't to add to the landfills. Recycling and compost intrigued them, but generally they were more interested in the 'reusing' idea.

We played a game of sorting unwanted items for reuse, recycle, compost, and landfill.

At first the game was challenging, but the students quickly gained confidence in how to best dispose of items.

Seattle transplants often complain about the struggles of embracing the local waste disposal requirements. 

I guess you have to start young, because the students have happily embraced the proper disposal system we now use in the room. 

I did not want this concept to be tied too closely with the letter 'R'. We don't enjoy ice cream every day or regularly fly a kite. We always are working to preserve and improve the world around us. Your children are happily doing their part to help.