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Recycling Lesson: Eco-Friendly Wind Chimes

EducationWorld partner Cre8time has shared this resource from Ellison, provider of die-cut equipment, supplies and related educational resources.    

Subjects

-Physical science
-Earth science
-Conservation/recycling

Grade

K-2
3-5
6-8

Brief Description

While creating wind chimes to explore natural resources, students learn how to use materials safely, realize the value of conservation and brainstorm ways of reusing man-made products.

Objectives

Students will:

  • Use recycled aluminum cans to create butterfly wind chimes
  • Investigate the effects of moving air

Keywords

Properties, objects, motion, Earth, sky, recycling, green, environmental, conservation

Materials Needed

Products

Supplies

Fishing line, glue, 1/16" circle hand punch, permanent markers, plastic, aluminum cans, cardstock, scissors, string, yarn


Lesson Plan

Preparation

Die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

Lesson

Begin by discussing the hazards of man-made materials in the environment, and encourage students to either dispose of aluminum cans in appropriate bins or collect and transport them to recycling centers. Explain that students are going to conserve resources by reusing materials to make a useful item.

  1. Die-cut the Lacing Square #2 using cardstock, chipboard, thin plastic or a flattened aluminum can.
  2. Create a hanger for the wind chime by cutting two 30" lengths of fishing line, yarn or string. Tie one length to two opposite corners of the Lacing Square and the other length to the other two opposite corners (see above).
  3. Alternatively, punch a hole in the center of the Lacing Square. Cut a 10" length of ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half and push the loop through the hole. Knot the two ends together on the underside of the Square (see below).
  4. Carefully cut open and flatten various aluminum cans the students have brought in for recycling and fundraising projects.
  5. Die-cut a flattened aluminum can with the Clothespin Critter, Butterfly. Die-cut four to eight Butterflies for each student. The aluminum can may now be handled carefully by students, as the edge has been beveled by the die.
  6. Attach the body to the Butterfly wings using a glue gun.
  7. Punch a hole in each Butterfly head using the a 1/16" circle hand punch.
  8. Students may decorate each Butterfly using permanent markers.
  9. Cut lengths of fishing line 8" to 12" long and tie one length to each decorated Butterfly. Tie the fishing line to the Lacing Square for the completed wind chime (see image at the top of this lesson).


Assessment

Facilitate service learning by collecting cans as a class and donating funds to local conservation efforts. Reinforce learning by having students observe the effects of wind on their wind chimes for a measurable period of time. Challenge students to create wind chimes from other materials and compare the effects of wind on different wind chimes.

 

Lesson Plan Source

Cre8time, through partnership with EducationWorld


Submitted By

EllisonEducation.com

 

National Standards

SCIENCE

GRADES K - 4

GRADES 5 - 8

cre8time

Helping individuals reclaim their creativity, the CRE8TIME.org community is a place for sharing and getting inspired. These "quality time" activities for families and classrooms reinforce the value and rewards of crafting.


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