The 3 Rs (non-statutory - Climate Change & Sustainability)
I can describe materials and objects that can be reduced, reused and recycled.
The 3 Rs (non-statutory - Climate Change & Sustainability)
I can describe materials and objects that can be reduced, reused and recycled.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Recycling is one of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
- Rubbish needs to be sorted into different materials before it can be recycled.
- Plastic, glass and wood can be recycled and made into new and useful things.
Keywords
Landfill - Landfill is where we get rid of waste by burying it in the ground.
Reduce - Reduce means using less of things.
Reuse - When we reuse something we use it again.
Recycle - Recycling is when we collect and sort our rubbish instead of throwing it away. These items then get changed into something new for us to use.
Common misconception
Children may instinctively classify objects by observational similarities or through knowledge of use rather than by the material from which the objects are made.
Reminders of the difference between the object, what it is used for, and the material it is made of. Use of real-life objects for children to explore to aid this understanding.
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: The 3 Rs (non-statutory - Climate Change & Sustainability), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 science lesson on: The 3 Rs (non-statutory - Climate Change & Sustainability), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Everyday materials unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
See additional materials for further guidance.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions












Exit quiz
6 Questions





