Minds On
The many forms of paper
Did you know that paper is made from trees?
Paper can take many forms.
What are some of the ways that paper is used each day?
Explore these examples of ways that paper is used:
Can you think of any other ways people use paper?
Record your ideas on the computer, on paper, or share with a partner, if possible.
Action
Paper-making process
We are going to learn how paper is made here in Ontario. We are going to use science research to do our investigation.
How will you organize your information?
It’s time to record what you have learned. You could write it down or make an audio or video recording.
What information is most important?
You should think about what you have learned. Did you learn anything new?
Making paper
In Ontario, trees are grown and then cut down to make all kinds of paper products.
Explore these images that tell the story of how a tree becomes paper.
Trees are cut and brought to a pulp-and-paper mill that turns the wood into paper.
The trees are cut into wood chips using a machine.
The wood chips are cooked and put into water.
The pulp is stretched then rolled and dried. This is how it becomes paper.
Check your learning!
How can you organize the information you learned about making paper so you can record it? What do you think happens when paper has been used by people?
Record your thoughts using a method of your choice.
Did You Know?
Did you know?
When people are finished with paper, it can be recycled to turn back into other paper objects. This means that less trees need to be cut down.
Use with care
When we depend on living things to make objects that we need, it is important to be grateful and careful with our use.
How might people be affected if many trees were cut down?
The many gifts of a tree
Let’s take a moment to think about the many gifts that trees give us. Explore these images.
The gift of oxygen is given by all trees. Even when small, trees can take in the air we breathe and give us back oxygen to help us grow.
As some trees grow, they flower and give us gifts of fruit like apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, avocados, mangoes, coconuts, and nuts such as chestnuts and walnuts.
As trees get bigger, they can provide shelter for birds and small animals, and shade for humans.
Once a tree is cut down, we can use the gift of wood to make many things like toys and paper.
We can also use wood to build things.
How might animals be affected if many trees were cut down?
Record your ideas or share with a partner, if possible.
Press ‘Hint’ to access a hint about how animals might be affected.
Think about what you already know about how important trees are to people and animals in the environment.
Repurposing paper
Paper is one of the most common materials to recycle.
Here are some ways that people can be kind and respectful to the Earth for the gifts it has given us, such as trees.
Press the following tabs to learn about these examples.
All of these examples begin with the letter R.
Do you need it?
Can you use LESS?
Can you use it AGAIN?
Can it be used for something DIFFERENT?
Can it be recycled and made into something else?
When people are finished with a piece of paper, which of these R’s do you think they can try?
Click on the boxes that can be ideas so that less trees can be cut down to make paper.
Turning old paper into new
One way used paper can be recycled is by using it to make new paper.
Explore this video where Eric turns old paper into new paper. Notice the materials Eric uses to make the new paper.
Let’s sort it out!
What is one thing the same about making paper and recycling paper?
What is one difference between making paper and recycling paper?
Think about your ideas then record them on the computer, on paper, or share with a partner, if possible.
Consolidation
Making paper
You have used scientific research to learn about how paper and recycled paper is made.
As you have learned, paper is only one of the gifts that trees give and why trees are so important to people and animals.
This learning activity connects new and existing approaches for young scientists to create positive changes in their communities.
Save the trees!
Community members are trying to create a poster to share important information about recycling paper products.
They want to include this information:
- how we can reduce the amount of trees being cut down to make paper products
- the gifts that trees give to people and animals
- two ways that the environment would be changed without trees
Explore the poster that the community created.
A poster with a tree in the middle with a title that says Save the Trees! On the left it says Trees give us many gifts: They give us clean air to breathe. Underneath the tree it says Too many trees are being cut down to make paper. We can make a difference! We can do these things to help. On the right side of the tree it says Without trees, many animals may not have homes. Without trees we would not have clean air to breath. Without trees, we would not have fruit or nuts.
Does this poster have all of the important information to share?
Does this poster share:
- how can we reduce the number of trees being cut down to make paper products?
- all the gifts that trees give to people and animals?
- two ways that the environment would be changed without trees?
If you could add anything to this poster to help share this message, what would you add? Why?
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.