Overview:
The lesson combines web resources with a hands-on activity to teach students a basic understanding of how paper is recycled.

Objectives:
- Students will learn the fundamental recycling process.
- Students will recognize that paper can be recycled.
- Students will identify that recycling reduces waste.

Steps:
1. Students will collect paper that they no longer need (paper can be gathered from home or from the classroom).

2. The students will tear the paper up into small pieces and place them in a large container.

3. The teacher will place some of the pieces in a blender or food processor and add water until it becomes a watery mixture. The mixture is then placed into a large bowl as the remaining paper is blended with water. Optional: Food coloring may be added to the blender to experiment with making different colors of paper.

4. After the mixture has been made, the students will hold a large screen over a sink (or it may be taken outside over grass) as the teacher pours the mixture over the screen. The mixture should be smoothed flat as the water drains out so that it dries into one large sheet.

5. Once the paper has been set aside to dry, students will be divided into small groups to explore web resources to learn more about paper recycling and to develop ideas for creating signs to post on recycling bins around the school.

6. The following day the dried sheet can be removed from the screen and cut into large pieces. The students will use the recycled paper to make signs to post on recycling bins around the school to promote recycling.