Meaningful Map

Create a visual aid to illustrate how humans are making more trash than they know what to do with. Begin with a box from a refrigerator or other large appliance; flatten it. Draw the Earth’s continents on it and color them green. Color the rest of the cardboard blue. Show your students this image. Then have them gather “clean” trash, possibly things that have accumulated in their desks, backpacks, etc. Help them glue the trash all over the Earth. Ask them to step back and see how the image has changed. As a reminder, pass out “Handle With Care” Laminated Backpack Tags and “Handle With Care” Heat Sensitive Pencils.