Curated OER
Worm Composting
Second graders discuss worm composting. In this decomposition instructional activity, 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...
Curated OER
Funky Fungus
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...
Curated OER
Let's Make a Compost Cake
Students create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science lesson plan, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Students create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of the pile,...
Discovery Education
Perfectly Decomposed!
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...
Curated OER
Decomposition
Learners are introduced to the concept of decomposition. They examine decomposition in their school orchard. They write about their findings in a journal.
Curated OER
School Forest
Sixth graders explore the concept of biodiversity. In this biodiversity lesson, 6th graders discover a variety of planets and animals that live in forests, and how a rotting log benefits that environment. Students also locate seven...
Curated OER
Up the Down Tree House
Students investigate the decomposition process. In this ecology lesson, 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...
Curated OER
Decomposers- Nurse Logs
Learners investigate temperate forest ecosystems. In this environmental lesson, students discover different forms of decomposition and its effect on the environment.
Curated OER
Rotten Truth
Students complete activities to study decomposition. In this decomposition lesson, students work in pairs to observe a decay buffet experiment. Students keep compost bag journals. Students define and discuss the process of decomposition.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Life in a Log
Students 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.
Curated OER
Look At A Landfill
Students explore how landfills function. In 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...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Chemical Equations and Reactions
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...
Curated OER
Soil Organisms
Students 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...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Recycling
Students explore the recycling process. For this recycling lesson, 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...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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...
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.