Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conservation in Small Places - Composting

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
A fabulous lesson introduces the art of composting to your gardeners. In it, youngsters learn about the composting process and how it actually works. They discuss the environmental benefits of composting, and use the "lasagna" method...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nutrients Nutrients We Need

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the six nutrients humans need to maintain good heath. In this ecosystem instructional activity, 2nd graders learn about how plants grow and compare how humans need nutrients from plants to how plants need nutrients...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students survey what composting is. They observe the benefits of composting over the course of the school year by making your own composters and gardens. Group members compare two different compost piles, make conclusions about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compost Cake

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine the decomposition process. They create their own class compost pile and record their observations. They discover which materials decompose at a different rate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting Conundrum

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners research cafeteria composting. In this composting lesson, students design a vessel that would allow the cafeteria staff to collect food scraps for composting. Then learners build a prototype and present it to the class. Lastly...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compost in a Bag!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders experiment to see which objects decompose. In this compost lesson, 4th graders observe the changes of labeled objects in a bag. Leave the objects for one month and record the changes by observation and weight. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting and Mulching

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders define composting and recognize what can be composted.  In this composting and mulching lesson, 2nd graders classify objects or pictures as good or bad for composting. Students write a story about life in the compost...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting With Worms

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders predict what happen in two (control and experiment) containers -- one with soil and trash, the other with soil, trash, and worms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students discover the concept of decomposition. They examine how it makes the soil more fertile and how it helps plants. They put a compost bin in their backyard and record their observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Garbage in the Garden

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students create their own compost.  In this soil lesson, students fill a bag with waste and soil, in order to create a mini compost bin. Students observe the baggies over a 6 week period, they record their findings and collect data...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Composting

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss worm composting. In this decomposition lesson, 2nd graders look at the anatomy of the worm and how it eats food. They have their own worm bin and review what foods can and can not be given to the worms for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Com-Post With Us? Learn About Recycling While Having Fun

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students examine the importance of recycling to help the environment. In groups, they make a compost bin on the school grounds recording how the material changes from week to week. They collect other materials for recycling like cell...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling by Composting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the idea of recycling by composting. Using the internet, they research the benefits of composting to the environment. In groups, they collect numbers on how much food and yard waste is produced in their community. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worming Your Way Through the Soil

For Teachers K - 5th
Students study soil, living and non-living particles in the soil, and learn about composting. In this soil study lesson, students study soil samples and discuss the living and non-living components of the soil. Students classify the...
Activity
PBS

Star Power

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Let there be light—or maybe not. Pupils learn about light pollution with an investigation of constellations. They create constellation boxes and experiment with different levels of light. Observations are then made about the lighting in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

COMPOSTING: WHY BOTHER?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students explore the composting process and participate in a contest to make the most compost the fastest from the school's kitchen and yard waste.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deconstructing, Decomposition and Compost

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils create and tend to an outdoor compost pile. They research about decomposition and composting. They create two activities for their peers to complete.
Unit Plan
ReadWriteThink

Let It Grow: An Inquiry-Based Organic Gardening Research Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
How does your garden grow? An inquiry-based, organic gardening unit asks young scientists to research a vegetable or flower, create an environment for it, and then plant and tend to the seedling. Gardeners develop their own research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trash Disposal Choices

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners determine the differences between reusable, compostable and recyclable trash.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Decomposition

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars explore decomposition. Students define and describe  components of the decomposition process. Young scholars make a composter in a terrarium. Students record observations and changes weekly, drawing conclusions about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under Our Feet

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students investigate the forest ecosystem to learn of the living and non-living elements of the soil. For this ecosystem lesson, students examine soil for twigs, moss, fungi, leaves, roots and other matter.   Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organic and Inorganic Waste

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students conduct a scientific investigation about organic or inorganic waste.  In this organic or inorganic waste lesson, students create a compost heap to determine the difference between inorganic and organic waste. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting -- Nature's Disappearing Act

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Studenst work together to discover the concept of biodegradability. They build a model of a landfill and how different items decompose. They examine how engineers use this information for better waste management.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classic Trash

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate how trash is classified and the options to deal with it. In this trash and recycling instructional activity, students perform an activity to classify trash into organic, renewable/ recyclable, now...