Lots---see below--this is pricey, but worth it.
This activity works best with 2-3-4's. If you can
take a field trip to your local landfill beforehand, and if you make an
overhead showing the different levels in a LF, this activity will mean more to
the kids than just a snack. Fits nicely into discussion on ecology, waste,
packaging, etc. Get comfy, this is a long one.
WHAT YOU NEED:
* dish pan (to hold messy stuff if sink not
available)
* 2 plastic/vinyl dropcloths or tablecloths
* 2 spatulas -
roll of paper towels - 1 sharp knife
* 1 large zip-top plastic baggie - 2
rolling pins
* waxed paper - 2 large, deep bowls
* 2 egg beaters (the
machine, not the fake eggs)
* 2 graham cracker pie crusts in foil pans
(unbaked)
* 1 box fruit roll-ups (you need 8-10 roll-ups, total)
* 2
packages graham crackers - 2 handfulls coconut
* 2 boxes (reg. size)
INSTANT vanilla pudding
* 1/2 gal. cold milk, either 2% or whole (1% and
skim won't let the pudding set up)
* 1 6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips (get
the cheapest)
* 1 large pkg. regular Oreos - green food coloring
* 8
pieces licorice, each about 3-4" long
WHAT YOU DO:
Everybody wash hands. Divide class into 2 groups. You will
need 2 areas on the floor for this. Keep all of the wrappers, etc. from this
stuff; you'll use them later.
* put tablecloths/dropcloths down to protect
floor
* have kids sit around edge of cloth
* place pie crust (HOLE IN
GROUND FOR LANDFILL) w/o wrapper in center of each 'tarp'
* line crust
with strips of fruit roll-ups (PLASTIC LINER)
* following directions, mix
pudding in bowl, stir in half of the choc. chips (you have split 1 bag
between the 2 groups) and let set up (GARBAGE)
* put graham crackers
between 2 pieces of waxed paper and roll w/rolling pin to crush (GRAVEL)
and sprinkle in pie shell on top of roll-ups
* cover the crushed graham crackers with half of the pudding mixture, set the rest aside
* crush
Oreos (DIRT) (again, you've given each group half a pkg) like you did the
graham crakers and sprinkle some on top of pudding mess/mixture
* continue
to layer pudding and Oreos till pan is full
* put coconut in plastic bag,
add green food coloring, MAKE SURE BAG IS SEALED, and shake till coconut
turns green (GRASS)
* sprinkle 'grass' on top of 'garbage' in pie
pan
* poke licorice down thru mixture in four areas for WELLS
* let
landfill set up for a few minutes, then cut as for pie, cut those sections
in half, serve.
While landfill is setting up, have discussion on how much trash you got
from the activity (packaging, etc.), recycling, trash, etc. This recipe makes
enough for 1 class. I have also made it in a 9x9" pan, instead of the pie
shells, and that works well also, but you have to make a graham cracker crust
first (don't have to bake it, though). There are enough things to
do that almost every child in the class can have a job--taking wrapper off
Oreos, putting 'tarp' down, etc.
DOUBLE-CHECK ABOUT ANY ALLERGIES.
Enjoy!
