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Decomposition
Learners are introduced to the concept of decomposition. They examine decomposition in their school orchard. They write about their findings in a journal.
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School Forest
Sixth graders explore the concept of biodiversity. In this biodiversity activity, 6th graders discover a variety of planets and animals that live in forests, and how a rotting log benefits that environment. Students also...
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Up the Down Tree House
Students investigate the decomposition process. In this ecology activity, students participate in a play, "Up the Treehouse" where the main idea focuses on a decomposing tree and how food chains are effected by decomposition. After the...
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Decomposers- Nurse Logs
Learners investigate temperate forest ecosystems. In this environmental lesson plan, students discover different forms of decomposition and its effect on the environment.
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Rotten Truth
Pupils complete activities to study decomposition. For this decomposition lesson, students work in pairs to observe a decay buffet experiment. Pupils keep compost bag journals. Students define and discuss the process of decomposition.
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Dirty Decomposers
Seventh graders design and conduct experiments to determine what environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They use chunks of carrot for the materials to be decomposed, and their experiments are carried out in plastic...
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Down the Drain
Young scholars explore what problems might occur if oxygen decreases in a body of water. They model what happens in a situation where decomposition is occurring. Students obtain, organize, graph, and interpret information. They i...
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Life in a Log
Young scholars identify insects living in rotting logs. In this decomposition lesson, students observe pieces of a rotting log, they look at the insects that have inhabited the log and create a chart that shows their findings.
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Look At A Landfill
Students explore how landfills function. For this landfill lesson, students explore the use of landfills and the decomposition process by creating a model landfill. Students discuss pros and cons to landfills and how potential problems...
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Observing Compost Invertebrates
Second graders examine compost piles and what invertebrates help decompose the organic matter. In this compost invertebrates lesson students collect invertebrates found in a compost pile and examine them.
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Composting
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...
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Soil Composition
Students examine soil. In this soil composition lesson 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.
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Soil Organisms
Pupils work together to collect soil samples from different locations. In the samples, they identify the macroorganisms and classify them. They identify the conditions that affect how macroorganisms grow. They also analyze and identify...
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Compost in a Bag!
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...
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Recycling
Students explore the recycling process. In this recycling lesson plan, students gain understanding of how garbage is disposed of. Students makes lists of things that can be recycled. Students discuss how animals and plants are damaged by...
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COMPOSTING: WHY BOTHER?
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.
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The Value of a Garden
Students explore the history of taxonomy, the work of Carl Linnaeus, and the factors involved in the decline and extinction of a variety of botanical species.
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All I Want for Christmas is a Nice, Clean Earth
Students observe properties of items, determine time it takes for organic/inorganic items to decompose, identify differences/similarities between decomposition, identify practical uses in litter/garbage control, & establish reasons...
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FBI
Fourth graders experiment with compost. For this Science lesson, 4th graders begin a worm compost as well as an outdoor compost. Students discuss decomposition.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Eyes on Dissolved Oxygen
Learn about the factors that affect the way oxygen dissolves in salt water with a chemistry lab. After studying the molecular structure of water, young scientists figure out how aeration, temperature, and organic waste affect...
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Decomposers at Work!
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.
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Investigating Soil
Fourth graders swap local soil samples with another school and examine the differences. They research soil properties, identify organisms that live in soil, create and maintain a biome of soil decomposition and design a poster to present...
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Cows, Worms, and Compost
Students study decomposition. In this decomposition lesson, students discuss the background information about decomposition. Students then complete the 'Chew It Twice' worksheet.
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Vermicomposting
Third graders study vermicomposting. In this vermicomposting lesson, 3rd graders prepare to begin a unit on decomposition by constructing a worm bin. Students collect worms to be used later in experiments.