‘Creativity is making marvelous out of the discarded.’

An effective way to get the idea of sustainability across to children is through getting them actively involved and encouraging it in their every day life. So, what better place to do it than in their classroom!

Reading corners are an integral part of the primary classroom and it is easy to link this to sustainability. Children can get involved through planning the theme, bringing in materials from home as well as working collaboratively to construct their area. This enables children to take ownership of their part in sustainability as well as their classroom.

An example we have found involves using recycled milk bottles to create an Eco igloo. This project only requires milk bottles, which the children can collect and bring in, and glue; it is economically efficient in regards to costings. This is also accessible for all year groups; KS1 may focus more on the design, the purpose of an igloo relating it to habitats and the recycling aspect of it. Where as KS2 might focus on more curriculum links such as maths, science and geography whilst building the structure themselves.