Building Background
Wrapping Paper
Facts
The purpose of this activity is to provide
an opportunity for students to engage in a problem-solving,
action-oriented activity as they investigate the use of
wrapping paper in the United States.
1. Share and
discuss the following wrapping paper facts with your
students:
-
Half of the paper America consumes is used to
wrap and decorate consumer products. (The Recycler's
Handbook, 1990)
-
In the U. S. , annual trash from gift-wrap
and shopping bags totals four million tons. (Use Less
Stuff, 1998)
-
Thirty-eight thousand miles of ribbon
are thrown out each year. The Earth's circumference is 25,
000 miles - enough to tie a bow around the Earth.
2. Divide
the class into small groups. Give each group a piece of
paper. Ask students to brainstorm alternatives to using
wrapping paper to wrap presents.
Brainstorming Process
Step One-State the problem
that you are trying to solve and write it on the top of
your paper. Step Two-Take time to think about the problem.
Step Three-Have each group member take a turn talking while
all members listen. Accept all ideas and record them on a
piece of paper. Step Four-Take time to think about the
ideas your group generates. Step Five-Reflect on your ideas
and decide which ideas should be developed. Step Six-Share
your ideas with the rest of the class. These ideas will be
used in the next activity.
3. Have groups share their
suggestions with the class. Record the groups' ideas on the
board. Discuss how each idea could help reduce the amount
of wrapping paper that is used each year.
Teacher Note:
Ideas might include using magazine pages, Sunday comics,
making recycled paper, or saving wrapping paper from year
to year. Items that avoid using paper completely might
include decorative tins, baskets, cloth bags and cloth
ribbons.
Steps for Learning Sharing Ideas
The purpose of this activity is to provide students with an
opportunity to inform adults about the wrapping paper
issue.
Teacher Note: This activity may be started in class
and completed as a homework activity.
1. Explain to
students that they are going to write a newspaper article
about the use of wrapping paper and its impact on the
environment. 2. Tell students that the article should
include the following information:
- An overview
of the wrapping paper problem. Wrapping paper facts from
the brainstorming activity.
- An explanation of the
ideas that were generated in the brainstorming session.
-
A conclusion that includes what action they want
people to take.
3. After the newspaper articles have been
completed, ask students to select articles to send to the
local and/or school newspapers.