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Worksheet
Curated OER

Decomposing Rectangular Solids

For Students 7th - 8th
In this surface area and volume worksheet, students solve and complete 3 different decomposing rectangular solids. First, they use the given formulas for surface area and volume to calculate the measurements of each of the illustrated...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compost Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Garbage in the Garden

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students create their own compost.  In this soil instructional activity, 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...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Sample Midyear Examination (Chemistry and Biology)

For Students 7th - 12th
A 12-page midterm exam sample can be given to young scientists in preparation for an exam. This particular installment is geared toward a class that delves into both ecology and chemistry concepts. There is no way to separate the 50...
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PPT
Curated OER

Organic Matter

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Written for an agriculture curriculum, this presentation on organic matter is also informative for gardening or horticulture classes. It details the chemical makeup, affecting factors, functions, maintenance, and composting to create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pumpkin Time

For Teachers K - 2nd
In these two lessons, science learners participate in various activities involving pumpkins. They investigate and research the life cycle of a pumpkin. They observe pumpkin growth and decomposition. Finally, they estimate and measure...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine Debris

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Now is the time to educate tomorrow's citizens to care for the planet, and here is a lesson to help facilitate the process. Collect some marine debris and bring it into class. Have your class separate it into types and then test each...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Casual Patterns in Ecosystems

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Ecology explorers or beginning biologists view a time-lapse film of decaying strawberries. They discuss how decomposition occurs and what factors might affect the rate of decay. Alone, the lesson plan is lacking engaging attributes....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Fossil of a Carbonized Plant

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners classify leaves by shape and margins and use them to create models of plant fossils. By using paper over a leaf, they simulate fossilization of organisms onto sedimentary rocks. Following instructions on worksheets, students...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Isosceles Right Triangle

For Students 10th
In this isosceles right triangle worksheet, 10th graders solve and complete 5 different constructions of composition and decomposition. First, they make 4 congruent isosceles triangles with the model on the left. Then, students create...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Does Al the Waste Go?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students construct a sanitary mini-landfill and an open mini-dump. Over a thirty day period, they compare the two methods and determine landfills are envorinmentally safer. They observe a demonstration of burning waste. They create...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Make a Compost Cake

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science lesson, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Learners create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of the pile, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Symphony of Decomposers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discover decomposition. In this environmental lesson, students explore different types of decomposers and their role within the ecosystem. Students also discover how waste interferes with the decomposition process.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case of the Missing Pumpkin

For Teachers K - 8th
Learners explore the process of decomposition. In this science lesson, students carve a pumpkin and observe as it decomposes. Learners compare the changes to an uncarved pumpkin. Students write about the disappearing pumpkin.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Decomposition

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

Layers of the Forest- Leaf Litter

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students conduct an experiment. In this temperate forest lesson, students discuss what kind of animal life can be found in the forest. They read The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad: A Book About Decomposition and complete an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Treasure Hunt

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners explore the concept of soil and decomposition. In this soil and decomposition lesson plan, students investigate bags of soil. Learners then learn how  animals and other organisms help in the decomposition process. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slow Rot or Not?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine how environmental factors affect decomposition. In this decomposition lesson, 5th graders experiment with the decomposition of grapes in five different environmental settings. They look at images of items that have...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Types of Chemical Reactions Lab

For Students 9th - 12th
In this chemical reactions worksheet, students experiment with several different reactions and identify each as a single replacement, double replacement, synthesis, decomposition or combustion reaction. Students observe the changes in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Build a Worm Bin

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the process of decomposition. In this ecology and measurement instructional activity, students prepare a worm home to be used for vermicomposting. Students weigh a group of worms and the added food, recording this...
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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...