Search for Resources
Description
Food waste has become a significant environmental issue that is contributing to climate change, increased pressure on land and water resources and economic losses that drive poverty and food insecurity. This practical activity teaches young students about the resources needed to produce some of their favourite foods, while using a food waste audit to demonstrate how much food is thrown away during a typical school lunch. As they learn that “food is not trash, pupils will be inspired to become more sustainably conscious by making efforts to “save, share or compost” and become the young global citizens that will help protect the future of our planet.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This resource supports Grade K-2 Science outcomes related to healthy eating, food groups, food production and air pollution. Students also learn about composting as a biological tool to recycle organic waste. Exploring the connection between human wants and needs and sustainable consumption supports Social Studies units exploring global citizenship.
The activity includes a link to building a homemade composter out of a plastic bottle, which would make a great extended learning project in which students could observe the decomposition process. Pupils might also use their composters to create a school display that raises awareness among peers and teachers about how to prevent food waste.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Economics: Knowledge of basic economic concepts, such as needs, wants, resources, labour, innovation, trade, and capital, will build toward an understanding of economic systems.
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Scientific Methods: Investigation of the physical world is enhanced through the use of scientific methods that attempt to remove human biases and increase objectivity.
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Economics: Knowledge of basic economic concepts, such as needs, wants, resources, labour, innovation, trade, and capital, will build toward an understanding of economic systems
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science: Plants and animals have observable features
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Rights, roles, and responsibilities shape our identity and help us build healthy relationships with other
- Identity and Families
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Local Communities:: We shape the local environment, and the local environment shapes who we are and how we live.
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional and Global Communities: Individuals have rights and responsibilities as global citizens
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Being Together:The World and Me
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- My Environment
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Growth and Changes in Animals
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Our Local Community
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Health Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explore Your World: Well-Being
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explore Your World: Well-Being
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explore Your World: Well-Being
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Health Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploring Our World: Attitudes
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Identity
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environments
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environments
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Senses & the Body
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Me
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Connecting and Belonging: My Environment
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Communities in Canada: Our Local Community
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science Primary: Materials
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1: Needs of Living Things
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 1: Age Appropriate Action
- Social Studies 1: Needs and Wants
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 2: Air and Water in the Environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 2:Environments
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Senses & the Body
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Being Together: Citizenship
- Being Together: Global Connections
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Connecting and Belonging: The Land: Place & People
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Connections
- Communities in Canada
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Problem Solving and Innovating: Overall Expectations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- People and Environments: The Local Community
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Air & Water in the Environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- People and Environments: Global Communities
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploring the World Using Our Senses
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Units/ Outcomes
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions: Environments
- Interactions: Needs and Wants
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Air & Water in the Environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Change: Environment
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living things
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living things
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Units & Outcomes
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Units & Outcomes
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- My Family: Dynamic Relationships
- My Family: Resources and Wealth
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- My Community: Resources & Wealth
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science: Plants and animals have observable features
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Rights, roles, and responsibilities shape our identity and help us build healthy relationships with other
- Identity and Families
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Local Communities:: We shape the local environment, and the local environment shapes who we are and how we live.
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional and Global Communities: Individuals have rights and responsibilities as global citizens
Themes Addressed
Citizenship (1)
- Sustainable Consumption
Waste Management (3)
- Composting
- Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Source Reduction
