The class studies the soil food web that includes earthworms and conduct four experiments using the crawly critters. Individuals determine whether earthworms are sensitive to light, touch, temperature, and acid.

Students examine soil. In this soil composition lesson plan students participate in soil sedimentation and filtration activities. The students discuss what non-living and living things are in soil and why it is so important.

Students discover decomposition. In this environmental instructional activity, students explore different types of decomposers and their role within the ecosystem. Students also discover how waste interferes with the decomposition process.

Students explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Students utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...

Get your hands dirty with an interactive lesson that showcases the process of decomposing and returning nutrients back into the soil. After building a compost pile, pupils regularly observe the...

If you are looking for how to introduce elementary environmentalists to the process of composting, here is a comprehensive outline for making it happen. The plan is to set this up at the beginning of a school year in order to observe the...

Learners examine the ecosystem by playing a game. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students are put into groups of decomposers, consumers, and producers. Learners create a list of animals that fit into each group and items that represent...

Students explore natural decomposers. In this decomposing lesson, students participate in a WebQuest to discover how nature handles decomposition. Students compare natural methods for decomposition with recycling efforts.

Fourth graders study food chains, producers, consumers, and decomposers. They play a food chain game and create food chain mobiles or posters. They take a nature hike around the school and observe various parts of a food chain.

Fifth graders discuss the relationship between producers, consumers, and decomposers as they look at the energy pyramid. While working in small groups, they create an ecosystem that includes all or some of the given categories, and they...

Fourth graders complete analysis experiments for decomposers and their adaptable traits. In this decomposers lesson, 4th graders test worm behavior to light, sound, warmth, touch, and moisture. Students work in groups to analyze the...

Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...

Third graders explore the process of composting. In this composting instructional activity, 3rd graders read the book Wonderful Worms, and create composters.

How can you tell if a microorganism is helpful or detrimental to an ecosystem? Learners inspect slides or pictures of microorganisms and record their observations to...

Students design and conduct investigations that illustrate the process of decomposition. After a lecture/demo, students simulate the process of soil composting in the classroom. They closely chart the decomposition of their soil.

Seventh graders participate in an experiment in which they calculate the time of decomposition of different materials. In groups, they fill bags with different materials and cover them in soil. After six months, they create a line graph...

Students discover that composting helps reduce landfill waste and is good for the soil. They explore the techniques of composting through a variety of media, art activities and hands-on experience.

Young scholars investigate temperate forest ecosystems. In this environmental lesson, students discover different forms of decomposition and its effect on the environment.

Students explore cycles in nature. In this cross curriculum agriculture instructional activity, students define "cycle" and research weather and planting folklore. Students make a bracelet in which individual colored beads represent the...

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...

Learners observe the difference between degradable and non-degradable wastes. They create their own landfill in a jar by adding four or five pieces of garbage and then covering it with dirt and water. They make observations on what they...

Students identify and interpret that leaves provide food for new trees and plants. Students cut out leaves and glue them on the appropriate number on included worksheet. Students collect different types of leaves and make leaf rubbings....

Students discover the benefits of composting. They identify the steps of decomposition as well. They are read a book and discuss what items decompose.

Learners explore how trash decomposes. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students discuss new vocabulary words, such as producers and consumers, and think critically to answer how landfills work.