Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Keeping our environment clean.
Topic: RECYCLING: MEANING AND EXAMPLES OF RECYCLABLE OBJECTS
Subject Matter: RECYCLING – Definition of recycling – Examples of objects that can be recycled.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

Define recycling in simple terms.
Identify examples of objects that can be recycled.
State one reason why we recycle.

Affective Domain

Participate actively in class discussions about recycling.
Show appreciation for keeping the environment clean through recycling.

Psychomotor Domain

Point to recyclable objects when shown.
Sort simple objects into “recyclable” and “not recyclable” categories.

Share ideas about how to manage waste at home and school.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
Relevant pictures and charts on recycling

Instructional Materials

Empty plastic bottles
Scrap paper (e.g., old newspapers, used writing paper)
Clean polythene bags
Used cellophane wrappers
Empty metal cans
Cardboard boxes
Pictures of various recyclable and non-recyclable items
Two labelled bins or boxes: one for “Recycle” and one for “Rubbish”

Rationale for the Lesson

Learning about recycling at this age helps pupils understand the importance of keeping their environment clean and healthy. It introduces them to the idea that waste can be given a new life, which promotes responsible habits and care for our planet from a young age.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils know that we should not throw rubbish on the ground and that we need to keep our homes and school clean.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

RECYCLING: MEANING AND EXAMPLES OF RECYCLABLE OBJECTS

What is Recycling?

Recycling means taking old, used things and making them into new, useful things again. It is like giving old things a new life!

Why do we recycle?

To keep our environment clean and tidy.
To make new things from old things, so we don’t have to cut down more trees or dig up more materials.
To save energy.

Examples of Objects We Can Recycle:

Plastic bottles: (like water bottles, soft drink bottles) can be made into new bottles, toys, or even clothes.
Paper: (like newspapers, old books, used writing paper, cardboard) can be made into new paper.
Polythene bags/Cellophane: (plastic bags, food wrappers) can be made into new plastic items.
Metal cans: (like drink cans, food cans) can be melted and made into new cans or other metal products.
Glass bottles: (like jam jars, glass drink bottles) can be melted and made into new glass items.

Key Words

Recycle – to make new things from old things.
Reuse – to use something again for the same or a different purpose.
Environment – all the things around us, like trees, air, water, and land.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

Display a chart showing the recycling symbol (three chasing arrows).
Show real examples of plastic bottles, scrap paper, polythene bags, metal cans, and cardboard.
Display pictures of items before and after recycling (e.g., old paper becoming new paper).

Recycling Song

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:

Recycle, recycle, what can we do?
Make old things shiny, fresh and new.
Bottles, paper, plastic too,
Recycle, recycle, for me and you.
Keep our Earth so clean and bright,
Recycle, recycle, with all our might!

Actions:

“Recycle, recycle”: Make a circular motion with hands.
“Make old things shiny”: Rub hands together.
“Bottles, paper, plastic too”: Point to examples of each item.
“Keep our Earth so clean and bright”: Hug self, then spread arms wide.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the song together with actions to reinforce the idea of recycling and list examples. Repeat several times.

Watch and Learn About Recycling

The teacher can show a short, age-appropriate video on recycling to further illustrate the concept.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQJz_m3qKj4

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Repetition, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they do with rubbish at home or school. “Where do we put things we don’t need anymore?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by saying “dustbin” or “throw it away.”

Learning Point: Pupils recall the idea of waste disposal.

Step 2: Explaining the Meaning of Recycling

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the word “Recycling.” “Today we will learn about something special we can do with some of our rubbish called Recycling. Recycling means taking old things and making them into new things. It’s like magic!” The teacher shows pictures of old items becoming new ones (e.g., old paper to new paper).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and repeat the word “Recycling.” They observe the pictures.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the simple definition of recycling.

Step 3: Discussing Why We Recycle

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “Why do you think it’s good to make new things from old things instead of just throwing everything away?” The teacher guides the discussion to explain that recycling helps keep our environment clean and saves resources.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils offer simple ideas and listen to the teacher’s explanation.

Learning Point: Pupils understand basic reasons for recycling.

Step 4: Identifying Examples of Recyclable Objects

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Classification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the instructional materials (empty plastic bottles, scrap paper, polythene bags, metal cans, cardboard). “Look at these things. Can we recycle them?” The teacher names each item and explains how it can be recycled. “This plastic bottle can become a new bottle!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the objects, touch them, and repeat the names of the recyclable items. They point to the items as the teacher names them.

Learning Point: Pupils identify common recyclable objects.

Step 5: Rhyme Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Singing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Recycling Song” with actions, pointing to the recyclable items as they sing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along and perform the actions, pointing to the objects.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of recycling through song and movement.

Step 6: Practical Sorting Activity

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher places a mix of recyclable objects (bottles, paper, cans) and some non-recyclable items (e.g., food scraps, broken pencil) on a mat. The teacher shows two labelled bins: “Recycle” and “Rubbish.” The teacher demonstrates sorting one item, then guides pupils to take turns picking an item and placing it in the correct bin, saying “This is recyclable!” or “This is rubbish!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns sorting the objects into the “Recycle” or “Rubbish” bins.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge to sort recyclable items.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

What is recycling? (Teacher prompts: “Making old things into…?”)
Name one thing we can recycle.
Show me an object that can be recycled from our collection.
Why is it good to recycle?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate, such as pointing to a recyclable object.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always think about recycling at home and school. “Let’s all be good recyclers!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond with “Yes, teacher!” and clap their hands.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practice recycling habits.

Lesson Keywords

Recycle – to make new things from old things.
Bottle – a container for liquids, often made of plastic or glass.
Paper – material used for writing or drawing, made from wood.
Polythene bag – a thin plastic bag, often used for shopping.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who are struggling, the teacher can use fewer objects for sorting, provide more direct prompts, or do hand-over-hand guidance. Focus on identifying just one or two common recyclable items.
Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to name other items at home that might be recyclable, or to draw a picture of something they would like to recycle.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Prepare all instructional materials (real objects, pictures, bins) before the lesson. Ensure the recyclable items are clean and safe for children to handle. Emphasize the simple definition of recycling: “making old things into new things.” The practical sorting activity is crucial for hands-on learning; allow every child a chance to participate. Reinforce the concept with the song and repetition. Observe pupils’ ability to identify and sort items as a key indicator of understanding. Encourage them to talk about recycling at home.