Paper Balls in the Recycling Bin

The yard is covered with paper (paper balls), and children, as little recyclers, pick them up and throw them into the blue bins from the mark. They practice overhand throwing while talking about caring for their surroundings.

How to play

1. Tell them the yard is full of paper and we're going to help clean it; scatter the balls and set up the bins with a cone in front of each (2 min).
2. Each recycler picks up a ball, goes to the nearest cone and throws it overhand into the bin (3 min).
3. If it misses, pick it up and try again; after each hit, go find another piece of paper (4 min).
4. The teacher moves the cones back one step: the recyclers are experts now (3 min).
5. When there's no paper left, look at the clean yard and talk about where paper goes at home (2 min).

Rules

• Throw from the cone.
• Pick up one paper at a time.
• Paper goes in the blue bin.
• If someone is picking up near the bin, wait.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: move the bin closer and a classmate brings the papers to the child's chair.
• Autism: give the child their own bin in a quiet corner and a set number of papers so they know when they're done.
• Visual impairment: put a can or lid inside the bin so hits make a sound, and play in a clear area.

Learning goals

• Throw overhand into a container.
• Stay engaged with a clear, repeated goal.
• Connect play with caring for the environment.

Equipment for a class of 25

• paper balls: 60
• blue cardboard boxes: 4
• cones: 4

Teacher tip

You can make the balls ahead of time with "The Paper Ball Factory." If there's time left, add a yellow bin with plastic balls for sorting materials.

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