Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Back to the Earth

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students conduct an experiment in which they bury four objects (apple, lettuce, plastic and styrofoam) in the ground and come back to observe them a month later. They consider what biodegrades and how it affects our planet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decomposition

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decomposition

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in a Log

For Teachers K - 3rd
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.
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

A MINI LANDFILL

For Teachers K - 3rd
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Akron Global Polymer Academy Lesson Plan Format

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify types of garbage that will decompose quickly and the ones that do not.  In this decomposing lesson students observe and record the photo degrading of six pack rings. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Worm Bin Project

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe the decomposing process of the food chain in a worm bin. They observe whether the type of food fed to worms affect the castings given off during the decomposition process. They learn and practice graphing their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Principles Of Composting

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students put items in a plastic bag and watch the effects of composting. While completing the experiment, students answer questions and ask permission to start their own compost pile at home.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solid Waste and Recycling

For Teachers 5th - 7th
In this unit of lessons, students examine solid waste and recycling. They examine the relationship between Native Americans and land. They also decorate bags in which they discover the concept of decomposition.
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
California Academy of Science

Composting: A Scientific Investigation: California Academy of Sciences

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Garbage, recycle, compost: Does it really matter where we put our trash once we are done? By making detailed observations over seven weeks, kids will see which materials break down naturally to become a healthy part of the soil, and...
Lesson Plan
Chymist

Landfills and Recycling

For Students 9th - 12th
Examine the nature of landfills through experimentation. Scholars build miniature landfills and monitor changes over a six-week period. Observations allow individuals to draw conclusions about the different types of trash and their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solid Waste and Recycling

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students demonstrate effects of waste on environment and ways of reducing it, observe how much packaging goes into bag lunches each day, and survey their families to assess awareness levels and household recycling practices. Lessons all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weathering and Erosion

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the similarities and differences between weathering and erosion. They participate in a lab in which they test the effects of different materials when exposed to weathering and erosion. They record their observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solid Waste

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students determine the percentage increase in output of solid waste in the U.S. They determine the length of time it takes for throw away items to decompose.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

F.B.I.

For Teachers K - 4th
Students create a worm bin full of fruit and vegetable scraps wit paper and observe what happens over time. In this decomposers lesson plan, students observe that the fruit and vegetable scraps become new soil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature's Recycling Program

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students identify what materials make up compost. In this science of recycling lesson, students explain the benefits of composting determine how compost is a good plant fertilizer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Relating Maya

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students read about the bags that the Maya people made and about how reusing bags can help save our environment. In this environment lesson plan, students read and discuss conservation and observe pictures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explore More About Bottle Construction

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students explore Green Construction. For this lesson based on the experiences of Peace Corps volunteers, students gain insight into alternative construction in Guatemala. They examine the pros and cons of using alternative building...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mulch

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments on mulching. In this earth science lesson, students discuss the benefits of mulching on soil. They explore how different types of mulch affect plant growth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Reaction Rates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe demonstrations to show factors that affect rates of chemical reactions. In this rates of chemical reactions lesson, students investigate how catalysts, reactant concentrations, temperature and surface area affect the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Shredding We Will Go

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students take charge of a recycling project . In this environmental issues lesson, students manage a paper recycling project and use compost made from the recycled paper to beautify trees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yeast Power!

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine how not all microorganisms are bad and that some can actually be beneficial.  In this yeast lesson plan students complete an experiment with yeast and answer questions.