The document summarizes an integrated studies unit on packaging done by elementary school students. The students began by creating a KWL chart to outline what they already knew and wanted to learn about packaging. They analyzed various packaging materials brought from home, considering whether all the packaging was necessary. Realizing not all packaging can be recycled, the students explored reusing materials. For an Earth Hour activity, they designed more sustainable Easter egg packaging ideas out of materials like tin foil, wood, and cardboard that could be reused or recycled.

1. 1T’s Integrated
Studies
Packaging
Term 1

2. Tuning In
• First we talked about what we know about packaging.
We complete a KWL chart.
• K stands for know – we talked about what we already
know about packaging. We did not know a lot about
packaging.
• W stands for what we want to learn about packaging.
• L stands for what we learned about packaging. We have
to wait until the end of our unit to write this information.

3. Our KWL Chart

4. Where to now?
• We did not know too much about packaging so
we brought in some packing items from home.
• We sorted all the packaging to groups: metal,
cardboard, plastic and others.
• We has to have an others section because not
everything belonged in the other categories.

5. What we did next…
• We looked at the packaging and analysed if all
of the packaging was required.
• We asked: Did we need all of this stuff?
• We did not think all of this packaging was
needed but we think the company who made
some items did not want their product to get
broken and wanted to keep it safe.

6. In action analysing packaging

7. Then we realised…
• We can recycle many types of packaging but not
all.
• Some packaging has to be thrown away in the bin.
• We discovered that we can reuse different types of
packing for different things. For example we can
make something with the left over packaging.
• We also learnt that the natural packaging of fruit
and vegetables is great packing because it can
break down on its own.

8. What we did next
• In line with Earth Hour, we explored ways we
can be considerate consumers
• We watched some thought provoking videos and
thought… what can we do?
• Since Easter is almost here, we thought it would
be a good idea to design our own Easter egg
packing that was better then some we had seen.

9. Reflections on our designs
• My Easter egg is made out of tin foil with a small
bit of string and cardboard. All of the items can
be re-used. Sophia
• My package is made out of wood, paint and a
ribbon. You can re-use it to put muffins and
flowers to give away. Jessica
• Mine is made out of plastic so the egg doesn’t
break and you can recycle it. Daniel

10. • My packaging has more chocolate than box.
Riley
• My basket for the egg and toy bunny is a good
idea because you can use it all the time. It is
made out of wood. Katija
• Mine is made out of plastic, you can re-use it as
another box. Ruby
• Made out of cardboard and wood so you can re-
use it again then recycle. Cooper

11. Thinkers and Designers