The second day of my unit started with going over the homework, the worksheet from the previous class. We had a brief discussion about how easy or difficult it was to remember to recycle, what was recycled the most in each family, as well as if the class had had chats with their families about the number in the triangle, what it meant, etc. For the worksheet, I noted two things that I will change the next time I teach this unit. The first question read, "Was remembering to recycle easy or difficult?" In hindsight, I should have included the word, "Why?" at the end of this question, as every single student just answered in one word, "easy", which didn't allow for much thought or reflection. The other question I would have students expand on next time is the one that read, "When you recycled something, how did it make you feel?" Again, I should have said something to the effect of, "Please answer in detail", as most students again only gave one word answers, either "fine" or "good" or something to that effect. More thought needed to go into their answers. Definitely two questions to change for next time.

After collecting the homework, I showed the class the 45 minute DVD, "Schoolhouse Rock: Earth". In this, there are twelve 3-4 minute cartoons that teach children about different facets of the environment. This is done through song. A few examples of song titles are, "The Trash Can Band", "Save the Ocean", "You Oughta Be Savin' Water" and "Solar Power to the People". Each song is catchy, meant to help the viewer remember the important environmental issues that are depicted in the DVD. The students enjoyed watching it; smiling, laughing and even in some parts, singing to the repetitive choruses. It was cute! After, we discussed the cartoons. I had each person say which cartoon they liked best and why, as well as what they learned or didn't know before watching.

The next lesson that day was an art lesson. Prior to the class (for weeks, actually), I had cut up pieces of recycled "stuff" from my recyclables at home. Things like cereal boxes cut into little rectangles or circles, yogurt lids cut into triangles, bread tags, newspaper, etc. I had enough for every student to have dozens of choice. I told them that the idea was to be completely creative, that there were no real "rules". They could create a collage or make the bits into some form of picture; the choice was theirs. I also told them that they weren't stuck to the shapes I had given them, if they wanted to cut them into other shapes (stars, diamonds, etc), then they could. Each student just had a pile of "bits" on their desk. If they wanted to get up and trade with a piece that another student had, they could. One student said they were eager to start because most art projects they were used to had some sort of rule or teaching technique to follow. The ability to be 100% creative with no real rules was appealing to them. The class was focused and worked hard during the period; they really seemed to be enjoying what they were doing. The results, the "finished products" were very nice. The classroom teacher stapled them to her bulletin board and they made for a very nice - and educational in the environmental sense! - art display. One change I would make for the next time though would be to have the students bring in their own recycled material. That way, they have ownership and a sense of entitlement to the pieces, as they came from their own recyclables! Just handing them the pieces didn't offer that, and that is one thing I would change for next time.

Before leaving for the day, I explained to the class what we would be doing the next class - going on an "Eldon Park Clean"! I told them to be sure to dress for the weather, whatever the weather would be that day, as we would be out for the majority of the afternoon. Again, I had a great time in the class and felt the students enjoyed themselves and learned a lot, as well!