Grade 2 · Science · Earth science

2nd Grade Reduce, Reuse, Recycle worksheets

6 printable versionsBuilding ConfidenceAbout 3 minutes eachFree · no account

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Grade 2 Science Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle reduce, reuse or recycle.

Tip Reduce means use less. Reuse means use it again. Recycle means turn it into something new.

1.
Sort plastic bottles into the recycling bin.
- reuse
- recycle
- reduce
2.
Wash and use a plastic container again.
- reduce
- recycle
- reuse
3.
Carry groceries in a cloth bag again and again.
- recycle
- reuse
- reduce
4.
Drop glass bottles in the recycling bin.
- reuse
- recycle
- reduce
5.
Take old magazines to the paper bin.
- reduce
- reuse
- recycle
6.
Take a shorter shower.
- reuse
- recycle
- reduce
7.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
- reduce
- reuse
- recycle
8.
Plant flowers in an old boot.
- recycle
- reduce
- reuse

2nd Grade Reduce, Reuse, Recycle worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

People make a lot of trash, and trash has to go somewhere. Three habits help the Earth by making less of it. To reduce is to use less, such as turning off the water while brushing teeth. To reuse is to use something again, such as filling an empty jar with pencils or passing a coat to a cousin. To recycle is to turn old things into new ones, such as putting cans and paper in the recycling bin so that they can be made into new cans and paper.

These habits save natural resources and keep trash out of the ground. This worksheet gives eight actions, and the child circles whether each one is reduce, reuse or recycle. A tip box at the top gives the three meanings. Ask your child to say what the person is doing: using less, using again or turning it into something new.

What your child will learn

Tell what reduce, reuse and recycle mean
Sort an action into one of the three
Name ways a family can make less trash

NGSS standard: K-ESS3-3

Worked example

Using an empty jar to hold pencils is reuse, because the jar is used again instead of thrown away.

Common mistake

Calling reuse recycle. Recycling turns the thing into something new; reuse uses it again as it is.

Helpful hint

Is the person using less, using it again, or sending it to be made into something new?

Next skill: Engineering Design Earlier: Natural Resources

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with reduce, reuse, recycle?

Calling reuse recycle. Recycling turns the thing into something new; reuse uses it again as it is.

How can I help my child with reduce, reuse, recycle?

Is the person using less, using it again, or sending it to be made into something new?

Are these 2nd grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

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