Let's Make a Bag!

• In this activity, students can make their own reusable bags by repurposing an old t-shirt. 
• Students will learn that recycling old t-shirts and using reusable bags at the store can help reduce waste. 

Positives

• This activity empowers students to take action and recycle and repurpose old clothes. 
• The activity is fun and allows students to personalize their own designs. 
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers and students will need old t-shirts, chalk or fabric pencils, fabric scissors, and a ruler to make the bags. Donation stores would be a good place to find used shirts if the students do not have any.
  
• Teachers will need wax crayons, an iron and ironing board, newspaper and plain paper, and printouts of the various character designs for the optional bag decorations.
• Students will need extra instruction on how to safely use fabric scissors because they are very sharp, and adults are needed for the iron-on decoration.
  

Differentiation

• The activity could be used in a lesson about taking action for the climate and reducing waste.
• Students can personalize their designs by choosing a character printout or by creating and decorating the bags with their own designs, fabrics, or materials.
• Buttons, zippers, and snaps could also be incorporated into this project for more advanced students.
• Have students present their t-shirt bag to the class or put them all on display for a week to showcase them to the school.
• Younger students could work in pairs or in groups to help complete the different steps of the project.
  
• Try pairing this activity with these upcycling projects or with this digital picture book about waste.