You have probably heard of the 3Rs, a framework that helps us be more conscious about our daily consumption habits. At Lab22, we take it a step further with the 6Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and reinforce!
Here are 6 original ways to integrate these concepts into your classroom:
REFUSE to buy new things. This may seem like an obvious first step, but in a culture of overconsumption, it is harder than it sounds. Changing our lifestyle can mean sacrificing a small amount of comfort or pleasure, but we must dare to think differently and take action. It can be tempting to buy a new Halloween costume to impress our friends or buy a fourth sweater in a different colour because they are on sale. But, as we all know, the novelty of our purchases wears off quickly. Considering the systemic impacts of overconsumption, was this fleeting moment of joy worth it? Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves: do these passing pleasures really make us happier?
REDUCE the number of items on your school supply list, the amount of paper you use, your reliance on individually wrapped products, and so on. In short, there are a million different ways to reduce your consumption on a daily basis. From October 20 to 29, Quebec celebrates the Semaine québécoise de réduction des déchets. Visit the event website for more details!
REUSE holiday decorations and school supplies. You could also shop for these items at thrift stores. Remember that you are an influential role model for the students in your classroom, and they are always watching you! Therefore, it is very important for your actions to align with your values. This generation faces a number of big challenges, especially when it comes to the environment, so position yourself as an ally and remember to bring your reusable water bottle!
REPAIR objects and refute false beliefs. In Quebec, misconceptions about recycling abound. To help you separate myth from fact, we recommend reading this short article from Le Soleil (in French only). In addition, you can keep your knowledge up to date with the Ça va où? (link in French) application from Recyc-Québec, which offers helpful tips on how to build good waste management habits, based on your geolocation. Tricentris, a leading sorting centre in Quebec, also posts engaging and insightful content about waste management on its social media pages (link in French). Following them is a great way to stay informed on a daily basis and liven up your news feed. Last but not least, Recyc-Québec also has excellent content on its social media pages.
RECYCLE in your classroom. Be sure to clearly label your recycling and trash bins (link in French) and explain how to sort recyclables at the beginning of the school year and periodically throughout the rest of the year. This funny video will help your students remember what to do.
REINFORCE your students’ sense of empowerment. Young people have a potential for self-reliance that needs to be nurtured. To bolster their sense of empowerment, we need to help them become aware of the major impact they can have in their communities. Educators can have a major influence in this regard. They can give their students the confidence they need to take action on the issues they care about and offer opportunities to do so at school. (Morin, 2020) Thus, we encourage you to consider designing class projects that will have an impact beyond the walls of your classroom.
Below is a list of resources to help you talk about the socio-environmental issues related to overconsumption in your classroom, organized by subject. Unless otherwise noted, resources are available in French only.
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Math:
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Qui gagne quoi? (High school – Cycle 1): Students perform calculations and analyses based on data from the clothing industry.
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L’origine de nos vêtements (High school – Cycle 2): Students study the clothing of a selected group (class, grade, school, etc.) for a set period of time.
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Social Sciences:
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De quoi j’ai l’air? (High school – Cycle 2) The aim of this activity is to develop a sense of civic responsibility in young people, empowering them as citizens and engaging them in social and environmental change, both in their own communities and through international cooperation.
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J’épargne ma planète (Secondary V): This collection of five LESs addresses the social, political, and ecological aspects of the economy.
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Languages:
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Enquête auprès des consommateurs (French, high school – Cycle 2): Students identify a survey objective and design a questionnaire to gather information about people’s attitudes and knowledge regarding a chosen issue. Are they worried, do they think there are viable solutions, etc.?
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Compréhension de texte (English, high school – Cycle 1): Reading comprehension exercise about child labour.
For concrete examples of activities and projects that schools are doing to address waste management or other themes, subscribe to the Lab22 newsletter. Every month, we share inspiring initiatives led by the schools we support.