Students sort eight actions into Reduce, Reuse and Recycle on page 1 of this 3-page 3rd grade social studies worksheet. The columns are defined as use less, use again and make into something new. The actions include turning off the lights, using a jar as a pencil cup and putting cans in the recycling bin. Page 2 is a class action plan with five prompts, from the resource to save to how the class will know it worked. Page 3 has the sort answers and a sample plan.
“Sort actions into reduce, reuse and recycle.”
Question 1 gives eight actions, such as taking shorter showers, donating old clothes and recycling newspaper.
“Plan how a class can save one natural resource at school.”
Questions 2 to 6 ask for a resource, why it matters, three actions, who can help and how to tell it worked.
A box of eight actions, then a three-column chart headed Reduce (use less), Reuse (use again) and Recycle (make into something new). Each column has eight lines to write on. Students copy each action into the column where it belongs.
A planning organizer with five prompts: the resource I want to save (examples are water, trees or paper, and electricity), why it matters, three things our class can do, who can help, and how we will know it worked.
The sort as three lists of three, three and two actions, then a sample plan about saving paper with three class actions and a way to measure the result.
Edge cases
Using both sides of paper and a refillable bottle are the two actions most likely to move between columns. Let students argue a case, then agree on one answer as a class.
Class plan
Choose one resource as a class, then have pairs fill in page 2 and share. The sample on page 3 uses paper, with a scrap paper box and a recycling bin as actions.
Follow through
Carry out one action from the plan for a week. Then come back to the last prompt, how we will know it worked, and check what the class said.
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