Recycle In The Classroom: THE GREAT PAPER WASTE

Belinda Rawls                  Delano Elementary School
                               3937 West Wilcox
                               Chicago IL 60624

Christina Noran, Judy Lerner                  
 
Objectives:
  
     This mini-teach is geared toward intermediate and upper grade levels.
     The Child will be able to:
          1.  Examine their habits and calculate how much paper waste they 
              generate.
          2.  Determine what they can do to minimize paper waste.
          3.  Determine some alternatives to paper production and analyze the 
              advantages and disadvantages.
          4.  Understand that recycling is good, but not as good as reduction.
          5.  Recycle used paper to make new paper.

Materials:
  
     Blender(s) enough for each determined group you decide
     4 sheets of office paper or
     1-2 sheets of newspaper
     Water
     6 window screens various sizes
     Rolling Pins or Round cylinder cans ( determined by #'s of groups)
     Newspaper Large quantity
     Rectangular aluminum pans or plastic 
     Liquid Starch
     Measuring Cups (1) per group 
     (1) teaspoon per group

Strategy
 
     Tear paper into small pieces.  Put two cups into blender.  Add at least 
four to five cups of water to blender. Two teaspoons of liquid starch. Cover 
blender before starting.Turn blender on to high for at least two to three 
minutes, or until you have the consistency of pulp soup.  Place newspaper on 
table. Place screen inside pan.  Pour pulp soup on screen and let water drain 
out.  Carefully remove screen from pan and place on dry newspaper.  Place second 
screen on top of pulp soup and using the rolling, roll out remaining water and 
carefully place screen on dry paper for at least 24 hours or until completely 
dry.  Remove dry paper from screen carefully and develop your own art project. 

Performance Assessment:

  Student collection of paper to continue the recycling paper on Friday's.
  The students ability to follow directions.  Students ability to use or add 
  other recyclable mediums to make recycled paper. 

Conclusion(s):

  Can all types of paper be recycled in this same way?
  Are other process utilized to recycle paper?