How we organize ourselves

The CM1 students’ field trip to the Replay toy recycling centre was an enriching experience as part of our Communities in Action unit of inquiry under the transdisciplinary theme How We Organise Ourselves. This unit explored the central idea that communities function through systems and structures that respond to the needs of their members. Students worked around three lines of inquiry: the different types of community and their goals, the roles and responsibilities within a community, and the systems that support their functioning.

Prior to the visit, students were encouraged to get actively involved by donating their own toys. Their initiative then spread to the entire IS33 school community, resulting in a total of 215 items, including games, toys and books, which were brought to Replay. During the visit, the head of the recycling centre explained to the students the process of handling the donations, from receiving the items to putting them back into service in the store at a reduced price. It was also an opportunity to discuss important themes such as the circular economy, professional integration, and the recycling of electronic components from broken toys.

The mathematical data on donations was then used in the maths class, where students used the information collected to create graphs. This enabled them to visualise the distribution of the types of items donated, to follow the collection process and to understand the importance of quantitative data in the operation of community structures.

At the end of the unit, the students reflected on what they had learned, either by retracing the steps in the donation processing chain, or by sharing the most striking aspects of the visit. They then asked themselves: what would happen if structures like Replay didn’t exist? Some of them also made the connection with other solidarity initiatives they had studied, such as Les Restos du Cœur, solidarity grocery stores, thrift shops, or marauding for the homeless.

This experience enabled the students to better understand the importance of community structures and their role in supporting people and preserving the environment. It also made them more aware of the different forms of solidarity and the impact that each individual can have by getting involved in his or her community, while developing their mathematical skills by analysing the data collected.

 

Sources :

https://lgsfantasticfour.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/how-we-organize-ourselves/

https://groupagir.fr/ecoagir/reemploi-de-jouets/