Curated OER
The Principles Of Composting
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.
Curated OER
Compost Columns
In this unit of lessons, students examine the role of compost columns and recycling. They create a KWL chart about garbage in Chicago. They also examine life cycles and packaging of everyday products.
Curated OER
Red Wigglers
Students are introduced to the benefits of using Red Wiggler worms to produce compost. They identify the requirements for the worms and the methods to follow in order to produce compost. They draw a picture of a functioning worm bin.
Curated OER
Let's make a landfill
Students create a mini-landfill. In this decomposing lesson, students differentiate between materials that decay from those that won't. Students identify the factors that might help materials from decomposing. Students record on a...
Curated OER
Com-Post With Us? Learn About Recycling While Having Fun
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...
Curated OER
The Rotten Truth: Healthy Food from Healthy Soil
Learners investigate methods of decomposition in order to make compost. In this decomposition science lesson, students set up compost bags using food and materials which decay over time. The initial lesson is approximately 30 minutes,...
Curated OER
Soil Preparation for Autumn and Winter
Young scholars determine how and why soil needs to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons. In this agriculture activity, students determine how to use gardening tools safely. They show how to work with compost material and...
Curated OER
Seed to Soup Organic Garden
Have your young biologists visit decomposition stations as they explore the process of organic material. This activity involves some set-up as kids will be visiting 13 desks to collect colored paper each representing a different element...
Curated OER
Recycling- Multiple Choice Words
In this recycling worksheet, students complete 10 multiple choice questions, choosing the correct recycling related word that fits a given description.
Curated OER
The Rotten Truth
Fourth graders investigate compost. In this Science lesson, 4th graders take notes on the components of soil and its relation to plant growth. Students describe the steps in making compost.
Curated OER
Recycling Concentration & Go Fish
Students play a game based on concentration or memory to place recyclable items into one of 4 groups. In this recycling lesson, students work in groups of 1-4 to place cards with pictures of various items into a Composting, Recycling,...
Curated OER
Save Our Soil
Students read about the history of soil and complete language arts, math, social studies, and more activities about soil. In this soil lesson plan, students complete fraction problems, create a school compost pile, write about conserving...
Curated OER
Soda Bottle Compost: Nutrient Cycling in Action
Learners explore and observe significant contributions to wildlife and measure soil nutrient capacity by performing simple tests to determine the amount of phosphorous. They assess the importance of making and recording detailed...
Curated OER
De"compost"ition
Students develop an understanding of the decomposition process and the parameters which influence the rate at which it occurs.
Captain Planet Foundation
Sorting Out Soils
Sift through soil and learn about why it's important for organic processes. After discussing what makes up soil, such as the living organisms and what types of soil have more nutrients, kids sample layers of mulch and deeper soil to...
Curated OER
Martin Mulch Worksheet
In this recognizing compostable items worksheet, learners make lists of fruits and vegetables, write writing words for environmental words, solve a crossword puzzle, and read instructions for a greenhouse garden in a plastic bag....
Curated OER
Talkin' Trash (All About Landfills)
Students investigate the types of waste created by people and identify various options for trash disposal. They read and discuss a handout about what a landfill is and the different types of trash, match types of trash with the proper...
Curated OER
FBI
Fourth graders experiment with compost. In this Science lesson, 4th graders begin a worm compost as well as an outdoor compost. Students discuss decomposition.
SF Environment
Waste-Less Lunch
Is it possible to have a waste-less lunch? Can your class become leaders in conservation? Discuss the importance of reducing waste during lunch time with a fun instructional activity that can be extended to everyday practices. First the...
Nuffield Foundation
Microbes Ate My Homework
Now you have a new excuse not to do your homework. A long-term experiment has learners explore cellulose-digesting enzymes. They simulate how paper breaks down in a compost bin. There's no need to blame your dog for eating your homework...
American Museum of Natural History
Grow Rock Candy
The best way to study crystals is to make your own! A hands-on lesson shows learners how to make their own rock candy from household materials. While they watch the crystals grow, they discover their structure and can even eat their...
Curated OER
Genetics and DNA
Young scholars describe the structure of DNA and its components and can comprehend that real DNA and its cartoon representation are very different. They are able to link DNA to genetic make-up.
PBS
Cloud Clues
It's cloudy with a good chance of learning! An inquiry-based lesson begins with an exploration of transparent, translucent, and opaque materials. Young scientists then connect their learning to the different cloud types as they take the...
PBS
Blowin’ in the Wind
Wind energy is making a comeback recently, and classes will want to take part! A hands-on lesson asks groups to build their own windmill that will lift a cup with varying weight. They use their windmill designs to experiment with angles,...