Not Following the Recycling Protocol is a Problem at PS 129

Lakisha Brooks/425 West 130^th Street

Reducing Waste on Earth Day One School at a Time | Trash ...

Introduction:

Why do we recycle? For years leaders of New York City have been engaged in a campaign for New Yorkers to recycle. There are negative effects if waste is not properly recycle. For the past few years, at PS 129, each classroom and general areas in the PS 129 school building have recycling bins. PS 129 has recycling bins located throughout the building, in the classrooms, hallways, offices and in the cafeteria. The recycling bins are clearly labeled with a color and description of each bins purpose. Despite the bins, posters and description of the use and procedure of recycling bins, individuals at PS 129 have difficulty following the recycling protocol.

The recycling bins are blue, green, and black. The green recycling bins are used to recycle paper, to be more specific, white paper, blue is for cardboard, heavier plastic, and the black is for general trash, small pieces of paper, thin plastic cups, straws, etc. Each teacher has an illustrated sign in the classroom for students and adults to follow. This Web Quest is a solution to get individuals to follow the recycling protocol at PS 129.

Task:

Your group will create a poster and brochure that examines the recycling problem using the PPA steps and develop solutions to this problem.

Process

• Use the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) to assist you in researching for your presentation:

Days 1-2

• What is the social problem? Complete worksheet #1, which is due day 3, that will be handed out.

Days 3-4

• Where is the evidence? You and a group member will go to 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade classes. Take a survey by show of hands of the classroom recycling protocol. Use the survey to complete the worksheet #2,(due day 5).

Days 5-6

What are the causes?

Students from 6^th grade classes with complete a survey using the following link . Analyze the information from the survey to complete worksheet #3 (due day 7).

Day 7

Read the New York City Public School Recycling Guide , Why is Recycling Important? And Recycling Laws for Schools.

Complete the worksheet #4, (due day 8), to evaluate the existing public policy for public school recycling.

Days 8-9

You or/and a group member will create a brochure or poster supporting the importance of following the protocol for recycling. You will be graded using a rubric based on whichever task you chose to do. Please review the rubric before beginning the final task. Poster Rubric Brochure Rubric

Day 10

Along with your poster, you and your partner will use the worksheets, and surveys to come up with at least two policies that can be created to correct the problem. Partnerships will choose the more important of the two. There will be six groups of two students. We will then have a class discussion and by the process of elimination, choose the best policy to be presented to the class then to the Principal, Ms. Pierre to be implemented.

Evaluation

Making A Poster: Following the Recycling Protocol
CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Content - Accuracy	At least 7 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	5-6 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	3-4 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	Less than 3 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.
Attractiveness	The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Graphics - Relevance	All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation.	Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.
Use of Class Time	Used time well during each class period. Focused on getting the project done. Never distracted others.	Used time well during each class period. Usually focused on getting the project done and never distracted others.	Used some of the time well during each class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others.	Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted others.
Knowledge Gained	Student can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student can accurately answer about 75% of questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.	Student appears to have insufficient knowledge about the facts or processes used in the poster.

Rubric - Making a Brochure		Name (s):
Criteria	Exceeds Expectations 4 pts.	Meets expectations 3 pts.	Almost meets expectations 2 pts.	Below expectations 1 pts.
Directions (See below)	Followed all directions exactly.	Almost followed directions.	One or more items missing.	Many items missing and/or late.
Layout	Extremely neat and easy to read.	Neat and easy to read.	Somewhat difficult to read.	Very difficult to read.
Illustration	Adds to the understanding of the text.	Good but does not add much meaning to the text.	Has nothing to do with the text.	None included.
Grammar & Conventions	Flyer contains no errors.	Flyer contains one error.	Flyer contains two or three errors.	Flyer contains four or more errors.
Content	Clearly explains why and how people should reduce, reuse or recycle.	Explains why and how people should reduce, reuse or recycle.	Explains either why or how people should reduce, reuse or recycle.	Does not explain why or how people should reduce, reuse or recycle.
Criteria Scores
Total Points
Directions – Your flyer should: 1. Give one reason why and one way how people should reduce, reuse or recycle. Use only the topic you researched this week. 2. Include at least one graphic. Choose from the file on the computer desktop. 3. Type all work. You may use any font that you wish. Size of flyer should be normal printer paper. Print a copy for each group member. 4. Print this sheet and staple it behind your flyer in the upper left-hand corner. Make sure to write your name in the space at the top of this page. 5. Scoring: 20 = 100 16 = 80 19 = 95 15 = 75 18 = 90 14 = 70 17 = 85 13 = 65

Conclusion

Through research, and data collection through a variety of resources you all have become recycling experts!! Way to go!! You all are on your way to making PS 129, your school and this planet an environmentally better place.

Standards

Social Studies

RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources

ELA

6R2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed by key supporting details over the course of a text; summarize a text.

RH4 (6-8): Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including content-specific vocabulary related to history/social studies.