Dee Loflin, Education Outreach Specialist (part-time, grant funded) with the Bootheel Regional Planning Solid Wast Management District, held a recycling program for third, fourth, and fifth grade students at St. Denis Catholic School in Benton, Missouri.

She read a book written by her entitled "Recycling Ryan" about a turtle who along with his friends picked up trash and recyclables at a park and started a recycling gang by making new friends.  She even brought the "real" Recycling Ryan turtle to visit the classroom. At the end of the story the class was able to participate by naming a new animal friend and adding to the book.  Recycling Rosie, a squirrel, will have its own page and be added to the book.   After reading her book each student received a recycled pencil and a coloring book.  

Students were also tasked with collecting bottle caps for 30 days in a Cap Challenge Contest.  They decorated recycled paper sacks to hold all their caps in as their art project.

Loflin explained that these caps could be recycled into picnic tables, clipboards and cutting boards.  At the end of 30 days she will got back and collect the caps and give one student a well earned prize.

She displayed several items that are used often in the household that were recyclable and explained the recycling graphic to look for on bottles, glass, paper, and cardboard items.

If you are a teacher with 2nd and 4th grade students and would like to participate in this program give Dee Loflin a call at (573) 380-3318 or email to dloflin@showmetimes.com and she will come out for a one hour presentation to your classroom.