Social Emotional Learning Activity

The Soda Bottle School (book and discussion)

Overview

Students will read a true story about how a town repurposed its litter into a school expansion. Students will have the opportunity to relate to the characters and connect their own life experience to that of the story’s main character, Fernando. This book helps teach kids that they have the power to reduce waste in the world around them!

Materials

  • “The Soda Bottle School” book which can be purchased here

  • Page pauses with questions found here

Activity Duration:

  • 30-45 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. As a class, read The Soda Bottle School: A True Story of Recycling, Teamwork, and One Crazy Idea by Suzanne Slade and Laura Kutner.

  2. At the following locations, pause reading and have a 5 minute discussion using the questions listed below:

    • Page 8: How would you feel about your home if it were surrounded by trash?

    • Page 10: Share a story about a time when your community worked together. How did this experience impact you?

    • Page 13: Have you ever encountered a problem you had a hard time working through? What helped you persevere?

    • Page 17: How did Fernando’s community inspire communities around them? Did Fernando’s story inspire you to take action?

    • End of book: What can you do either individually or as a team to reduce the amount of waste in our environment?