Free, Printable Lesson Plan and Activities for Elementary, Middle and High School
The Planet Aid Scholar's Club has posted a new free, printable lesson plan to teach K-12 students about the long-lasting, negative environmental impact of waste. Help your students appreciate how long their trash takes to decompose with these interactive lesson plans.
Ghosts of Trash Past: The Long Life of Waste
.png?width=489&height=611&name=Haunted%20Waste%20Showcase%20Flier%20(1).png)
This Halloween-themed lesson teaches students about the environmental impact of waste by exploring how long different materials take to decompose. With fun activities like:
- creating "Trash Monsters" from recyclable materials,
- mapping out an "Eco-Graveyard" of waste decomposition times, and
- hands-on "Decomposition Exploration."
Waste Lesson Plans
Elementary
Middle School
- Middle School Lesson Plan (PDF)
- Trash Monster Reflection (PDF)
- Decomposition Investigation Log (PDF)
High School
- High School Lesson Plan (PDF)
- Graveyard of Waste Reflection (PDF)
- Decomposition Investigation Log (PDF)
October Eco-Challenge
Get ready for a spooky and sustainable challenge! This month, we’re hosting the Haunted Waste Showcase, and we want to see your creative take on recycling. After completing the "Ghosts of Trash Past" lesson, snap a picture of your Trash Monster or Eco-Graveyard and send it to cjones@planetaid.org by October 31st (Halloween!).
The most creative submissions will win a fun package of Halloween-themed treats. Let’s show how sustainability can be spooky and fun!
Join the Club!
The Planet Aid Scholar's Club launched the 2024-25 school year. Join the club for free environmental lesson plans, activities, book reviews AND eco-challenges with chances to win cool prizes.
Schools also partner with Planet Aid to collect used clothes and shoes. Learn how your school can fundraise and give students real-world experience helping reduce textile waste in the U.S.