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...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decomposition, Soil, and Life Cycle Research

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students conduct background research on the decomposition process, soil composition, and the life cycle using the resources provided for Internet searches. They work in collaborative groups to research topics as a particular plant, soil...
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....
PPT
Curated OER

Chemical Equations and Reactions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Graphic organizers, photos, diagrams, and text bring the world of chemical reactions to life. By viewing this presentation, young chemists learn how to recognize when a chemical reaction has occurred, and how to balance chemical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under Our Feet

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students investigate the forest ecosystem to learn of the living and non-living elements of the soil. In this ecosystem lesson, students examine soil for twigs, moss, fungi, leaves, roots and other matter.   Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Now You See It, Now You Don't

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore organic and inorganic objects. In this environmental lesson students perform a composting experiment using flowers in different soils. Students record their observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Treasure Hunt

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore the concept of soil and decomposition. In this soil and decomposition instructional activity, students investigate bags of soil. Students then learn how  animals and other organisms help in the decomposition...
Lesson Plan
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Montana State University

Climb into Action!

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Climate change affects even the largest and intimidating of landforms—even Mount Everest! A resource helps teach learners the connection between global climate change and its effects on Earth. Activities include videos, class discussion,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting Conundrum

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research cafeteria composting. In this composting lesson, students design a vessel that would allow the cafeteria staff to collect food scraps for composting. Then students build a prototype and present it to the class. Lastly...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Buried Treasure

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine the role of micro and macro organisms in the decomposition process. They record their observations and discuss. They also read a book about decomposition.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Build a Worm Bin

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore the process of decomposition. In this ecology and measurement lesson, students prepare a worm home to be used for vermicomposting. Learners weigh a group of worms and the added food, recording this information on a data...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Funky Fungus

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss decomposition, bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms. They participate in an experiment to grow fungus on bread. As the fungus colonies grow, students observe them under a microscope to identify and locate...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Make a Compost Cake

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

Recycling

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Young scholars explore the recycling process. In this recycling lesson, students gain understanding of how garbage is disposed of. Young scholars makes lists of things that can be recycled. Students discuss how animals and plants are...
Activity
Discovery Education

Perfectly Decomposed!

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
We all know someone who won't eat the banana with a brown spot, the grape with a dimple, and the apple with a bruise. Scholars use different fruits to explore what happens when fruits really start to decompose. They set up an experiment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Are the Layers of the Rain Forest?

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students investigate the different levels of the rain forest by comparing it to an apartment.  In this ecology lesson, students practice using forest related vocabulary words and complete a vocabulary data sheet.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decomposition

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students are introduced to the concept of decomposition. They examine decomposition in their school orchard. They write about their findings in a journal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Origin of Coal

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore how coal is formed. They then discuss the information and answer any questions that they may have on the formation of coal. Students then answer questions in reference to the coal discussion and reading.
Lesson Plan
United Nations

Compost Monitor Training

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
What should go in the trash, and what can be composted? Guide your young conservationists through the process of composing their trash with a lesson plan about the different ways we can dispose of garbage. Using a trash bag with clean...
Lesson Plan
West Contra Costa Unified School District

Square and Square Roots

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Root for your pupils to learn about roots. Young mathematicians first review the meaning of squares and square roots. They then use this knowledge to simplify square roots of monomials with variables.
Lesson Plan
Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Eyes on Dissolved Oxygen

For Teachers 10th - 12th
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...