Tinsel Mulch (Grades 8-12)

Grade/Subjects:

• Grades 9-12 Sciences; Social Studies (Environmental Social Consciousness)

Topic/Length:

• Tinsel mulch (recycling Christmas trees) 40 mins.

Objectives:

• To introduce basic concepts concerning the City's Tinsel Mulch program.

Common Essential Learnings:

• critical and creative thinking
• social values
• environmental

Prerequisite Student Learnings:

• some basic social values
• assist volunteer groups
• environmental
• recycling renewable resource 
• carbon credit

Methods/Strategies:

• Set: 5- 10 mins. Introduce concept of Tinsel Mulch program. Define terms and basic principles of the Tinsel Mulch program.
• • Ask for anecdotes from students (what is Tinsel Mulch and wood chips, where does this material come from, what is the material used for)
• Development:  Talk about the information that is communicated in the presentation.
• • 10 - 15 mins.  Discuss the Tinsel Mulch program, interaction and feedback. Students can investigate the rational behind Tinsel Mulch and wood chips, their use and benefits to the environment.
• Closure: 5-10 mins.  Review Tinsel Mulch program concepts and refer to the information that is available.

Materials/Resources:

• Online information about tinsel mulch from the City of Regina's website and City of Regina printed materials
• Samples of tinsel mulch and wood chips
• Article about recycling holiday trees from University of Illinois at Urbana website
• Christmas tree recycling information from the City of Calgary's website under organics recycling

Assessment/Evaluation:

• Nothing formal – question for understanding.

Reflections/Notes:

• A good lesson for a social studies class, a science class (the environment)