reSolve: What a Load of Rubbish

In this series of three lessons, students conduct an audit of the rubbish they find in their playground. They use a range of categories to sort, display and interpret the data and make simple inferences. They then reclassify the rubbish collected as to whether it can be recycled, composted or if it needs to go into the bin. Finally, students audit the bins in different areas of the playground, compare the number of bins to the amount of rubbish and recyclable rubbish, and consider if the school rubbish bins are in the right place. Each lesson is outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, materials needed, sample answers, discussion points and student resources. This sequence is part of the reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry program.