How many ways can we reuse a plastic bottle?

This term the majority of classes have been exploring sustainability as a theme. I was back in on the first day after Easter break and so had pre-planned to make paper from nettles and ‘used’ paper with P3/4. We gathered paper from each classroom and added a bit of nature. Meanwhile, I started to ask children ‘what we waste a lot of?’. A number of children mentioned plastic bottles. So, I asked the children & staff to start collecting some bottles that were on the way to the recycling.

With Primary 1, we were finishing off their story studies of Katie Morag and so we decided to make some island environments and ‘ferries’ to sail to the isles with Katie on board. It has to be said some of the ‘ferries’ were launched a bit more like lifeboats than ferries but it was all good fun and Katie made it home (mostly)………As the mountain of bottles grew outside the school…..

The following week the plastic bottles were overflowing and so we started the mission to reuse them.

P5/6 were given a range of options - hanging basket for the poly tunnel, snack bowls, decorative flowers, mobile phone holders, streamers, cup and ‘lid’ rather than ball game…. we also came up with bracelets & a ‘shower’ and ‘shoes’ Some more functional and workable than others….

P4/5 had been studying the Titanic last term and we decided to combine boats and plastic bottles to make balloon propelled ones… Not forgetting the passengers we made from recycled wood and foam.

This week P2/3 were set a challenge to create their own game using plastic bottles. I showed them how to make catchers/bats, the cup and lid game and elephants (I know random). They then created a wide range of amazing games using chalk and their imaginations….

Next week it’s P6/7. It’s their last week we me, so we will make pizza on the fire. But, I will also challenge them to make something amazing with a PLASTIC BOTTLE!…. watch out on Facebook for the results…