Let's Have A Swap!
What a great way to reinforce the idea of REUSE and REDUCE while also having a fun classroom event. By having your class host a swap, students will have a chance to bring in a gently used item of their own and trade it for something new to them.
Swap Themes:
- Books
- Toys/Games
- Clothes
- Sports Equipment
Before:
- Select a theme for your swap. If you are involving the class in the planning process, you may pose a vote to the class to select a theme. Try to select a theme that will involve all students in the class.
- Select a date to hold the swap.
- Brainstorm how students may decide what items to bring in for the swap.
- Write a letter to send home with students.
During
- Discuss with students the proper way to engage in trading and trade discussion.
- Only our first swap, so may have more chances to trade in future
- Be reasonable with those wanting to trade
- Think before you speak – consider other people’s feelings (no bullying!)
- Set the classroom up in a pattern conducive to moving around easily (U shape might work well)
- Have students place their item(s) on their desk for viewing.
- Walk around classroom looking at the items first.
- Then have students discuss with each other any items they may like to trade.
(You may decide to bring in a few items of your own, to use in the swap as well)
After
- Discuss how it all went.
- Did you accomplish a “green” act? Did you reuse something? Did you keep something out of landfill?
- What else can we do to continue to think about reducing and reusing?
- Write an article as a class to submit to the school newsletter.
Notes:
Some students may choose not to participate in the swap. Assign them alternate roles to allow them to still be involved in the activity.
Some Alternate Roles: photographer, note taker, referee (mediator)
Variations:
Your class could organize a class or school drive to collect unused items for donation.
- A Used Clothing Drive
- A Used Toy Drive
The lesson is similar, that we should do everything we can to keep unnecessary items out of landfill. Your class may be able to take a leadership role in the school if you choose to organize a school-wide drive. You could create announcements that explain the drive. You could have your class collect facts on waste to enforce the idea of diverting waste from the landfill.
