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Green Learning Opportunities

Keep Norfolk Beautiful offers education opportunities to help build awareness and understanding of the human impact on the environment. Education kits are available for pickup to use at home or in the classroom. Select education programs are available for loan to educators.

For more information, contact us at knb@norfolk.gov or call 757-441-1347.

Take-Home Kits and Classroom Kits

K-1st Grade - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Activity Kit

  • Help your youngest students learn more about the 3R's through coloring pages and fun skill-building activities. This activity is designed around kindergarten and 1st grade SOLs; Reading K.4, K.7, Writing K.10, Reading 1.4, 1.7, Writing 1.11.
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2nd - 7th - Grade Green Learning Book and Activity Guide Kit

  • Designed by AskHRGreen.org, the Green Learning book offers students environmental education with fun, hands-on activities. This Green Learning book is designed to meet third grade SOL's; 
  • 2nd - 4th Grade Kit: English 3.10 & 3.4, Math 3.3, 3.4 & 3.15, Science 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9 & 3.10, and History 3.6 & 3.11.
  • 5th - 7th Grade Kit: English 6.4, 6.6 & 6.9, Math 6.1, 6.2, Science 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7 & 6.9, and History 6.4.


2nd - 6th Grade - Plastics in our Environment Education Kit

  • Plastics often end up where they don't belong. Unlike other materials, plastics do not break down. Instead, they become smaller and smaller over time and many animals mistake them for food. This kit introduces students to the many ways plastics can harm animals and encourages discussion to help broaden understanding. Available for loan to educators! 
  • The 2nd - 3rd-grade kit is designed around 3rd grade SOL's; Science 3.1 & 3.10.b. Math 3.2. English 3.6 & 3.7.
  • the 4th - 6th grade kit is designed around 6th grade SOL's; Science ES.2, 6.1 & 4.5.f. Math 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 4.2.b, 4.3.d & 4.4.b. English 6.4, 6.5, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7 & 4.9.


In-Person Programs

In-person presentations are available for schools, camps, organizations, and other education groups.

3rd-5th Grade - Preventable Journey

  • Plastic grocery bags are not just found at the grocery store. Too often, we see them blowing down the street, stuck in a tree, or even floating down a waterway. During this activity, students will become plastic bags and track where they go in our community. A discussion and brief storm drain activity will help enhance the student's understanding of the impact of plastic bags in our environment. Activity and discussion take about 45 minutes. Available for loan to educators!

K-1st Grade - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

  • During this lesson, we read Let's Recycle and Let's Reduce Waste to learn what items can be recycled and what students can do to help our environment. The reading is followed by a waste sorting and relay game to test recycling knowledge. Reading and activity take about 30 minutes.

1st - 2nd Grade - Henry the Heron

  • Plastics that end up on our roads, playgrounds, and even yards, often impact our local wildlife. A short story and activity will demonstrate the impact of plastics on our wildlife with special guest Henry the Heron. Students will also learn a fun way to remember the 3R's! Reading and activity take about 30 minutes. Available for loan to educators! 











4th - 8th Grade - Enviroscape Landfill and Recycling Demonstration

The Landfill and Recycling Enviroscape is a tabletop demonstration of the functioning of a landfill, the impacts of landfill's on water quality, and the benefits of recycling. Discussion and demonstration take about 1 hour.

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Education Collaboration

Keep Norfolk Beautiful is available to assist with projects and activities for middle school through high school classes and organizations and be a resource and support for educators. Our goal is to engage older students in meaningful projects and discussions that help build future leaders and deepen their understanding of the human impact on the environment. Emphasis is always placed on students' ability to make a difference and create change.

Let us know how we can help by submitting a Request Form online or emailing the Education Coordinator.

Test Your Recycling Skills 

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Test your recycling skills with our Waste Sorting Quiz! Ready, Set, Sort is customized to City of Norfolk waste programs and is compatible with smartphone, desktop, and tablet. Use this tool in the classroom or at home to learn about proper waste disposal. Complete all 5 levels for a Waste Sorting Certificate.

Click here to play now.