Caring for our world: recycling
To explore some ways we can care for the world around us.
by The Revd Sophie Jelley
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To explore some ways we can care for the world around us.
Preparation and materials
- Prepare a table of items connected with recycling and/or that are kind to the environment, e.g. recycled paper, tissues, kitchen roll, rechargeable batteries, eco-friendly washing liquid, longlife lightbulbs, etc. Cover over with a cloth.
- A large illustrated children’s Bible (My Very First Bible, published by Lion, is good).
Assembly
- Introduce the subject and tell the children that you have brought some things for them to look at. Uncover the items and give them 30 seconds to work out what all the things on the table have in common. What is the same about them? If they get stuck, hold up each item and say what it is, e.g. recycled paper. Explain that all the things on display are good for the world we live in – briefly say how, with an explanation relevant to each object. This section could easily be expanded into a class assembly with children showing different items and explaining their ecological qualities.
- Explain that Christians, Jews and members of other faiths believe that God made a beautiful world for us to live in and gave us a very special job to do in it. They believe that people were given the task of caring for the world. Read a children’s Bible version of the creation of man and woman, with God asking them to rule over the land. You could explain what this means in simple terms: God wants us to look after all living things on the planet.
- Go back to the table and explain that one of the ways we can care for the world is by recycling. Ask the children if they recycle their empty jam jars, and see if they know what happens to them. You could use the Bob the Builder phrase 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' to engage the foundation stage children. Explain that some things are made into new things which are the same, e.g. new tins/cans, while some can be very different – give examples such as pencil cases made from old tyres and pens made from computer printers (one source of these can be found at http://www.ecotopia.co.uk ).
Time for reflection
Reflection
Think about all the rubbish we create in the world.
Think about what we can reuse instead of throwing it away.
We might want to help our families think more about what we can recycle, and about recycled products that we can buy and use. Explain that sometimes these things are a bit more expensive so the adults we live with will decide whether or not this is possible.
But there are always things we can do that will save money, like using less hot water, and turning off lights and TVs, etc.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord God, for the beautiful world you made for us to live in.
Please help us to take care of it and think about the things we can reuse.
Help us to look after the world well for the people who will live in it after us.
Amen.
Song/music
'God who made the earth' (Come and Praise, 10)
