aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Mathematics
What age group	Doesn't matter
What topic	Reduce reuse recycle
Quantity	1
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Lesson Introduction: Mathematics Meets the Three Rs

Hook: A Sustainable Challenge

Welcome, class! Before we dive into today’s lesson, I want to challenge your mathematical minds with a real-world issue that affects us all: sustainability. Today, we will explore the concept of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and how mathematics plays an essential role in building a sustainable future.

The Challenge

Imagine a scenario where our town produces 100 tonnes of waste each month. Due to the growing population, this figure has been increasing by 5% every year. To truly make a difference, we need to reduce the waste we create, think about how we can reuse items instead of tossing them away, and consider innovative ways to recycle what we can’t use.

Activity: Maths in Action

1. Calculating Waste Reduction: As a class, let’s calculate the impact if we could each reduce our personal waste by just 20% over the next year. How much waste would our town save overall?
2. Reuse Ideas: Next, brainstorm some common items that can be reused—containers, bags, and old clothes come to mind. We’ll calculate how many times an item can be reused and see who can come up with the most creative idea!
3. Recycling Rates: Finally, we will examine the recycling rates in our town. If currently, only 30% of the waste is recycled, let’s work out how we can raise that to 50% and what mathematical figures we’d need to track the progress.

Conclusion

By the end of this lesson, not only will you have practiced vital mathematical skills such as percentages, addition, and problem-solving, but you'll also understand the importance of these skills in tackling real-world environmental issues. Now, let’s get started and see how maths can be a powerful tool in our journey towards sustainability!