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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling and Composting

For Teachers K - 5th
Students investigate the reasons for and processes of Recycling and Composting. In this environmental instructional activity, students learn to identify renewable and nonrenewable resources and then practice recycling by making recycled...
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Lesson Plan
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Purdue University

Getting the Dirt on Decomposition

For Students 5th
Sometimes science requires getting a little dirty. A hands-on lesson explores the idea of decomposition by building a compost structure. Using red worms and dirt, individuals build and collect data on the rate of decomposition. The STEM...
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Lesson Plan
Captain Planet Foundation

Worm Your Way Out of This

For Teachers 3rd
How can you provide healthy soil for your garden? Study worms, bacteria, and other microorganisms in a lesson about decomposition and organic compost. After discussing what you know about worms and watching a video, watch what worms do...
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Lesson Plan
Captain Planet Foundation

Rotting Away

For Teachers 2nd
What happens at the end of a plant's life cycle? Show kids the natural way that plants show that they're decomposing, as well as the importance of compost, with a lesson about living organisms. After reading Log Cabin by Anne Schreiber,...
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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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting and Mulching

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders define composting and recognize what can be composted.  In this composting and mulching lesson, 2nd graders classify objects or pictures as good or bad for composting. Students write a story about life in the compost heap.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners survey what composting is. They observe the benefits of composting over the course of the school year by making your own composters and gardens. Group members compare two different compost piles, make conclusions about...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting With Worms

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders predict what happen in two (control and experiment) containers -- one with soil and trash, the other with soil, trash, and worms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Design You’ll Dig: Designing a Habitat for Worms

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover how worms contribute to the balance of the environment. In this composting lesson, students study the composting and decomposition processes. Students then create habitats for worms that allow them to do their jobs.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nutrients Nutrients We Need

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the six nutrients humans need to maintain good heath. In this ecosystem lesson, 2nd graders learn about how plants grow and compare how humans need nutrients from plants to how plants need nutrients from the soil....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Composting

For Teachers 2nd
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...
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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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing Compost Invertebrates

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine compost piles and what invertebrates help decompose the organic matter.  In this compost invertebrates activity students collect invertebrates found in a compost pile and examine them. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting in Schools: Observing Compost Microorganisms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars explore composting. In this composting activity, students use compound microscopes to observe the microbial communities in compost. Observations and documentation of changes will occur over the course of several weeks.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Composting

For Students 4th - 6th
In this composting activity, students read an informative paragraph about composting and then respond to 7 short answer questions regarding the topic.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Compost & Vermicomposting

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore vermicomposting, the species of worms needed and the proper climate for it.  In this composting lesson plan students make their own worm compost bin. 
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Composting

For Students 2nd - 4th
For this recognizing items that can be composted worksheet, students identify organic items that can be composted, write items that can be composted for each of the letters in the word compost, and make a list of vegetables and fruits....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cows, Worms and Compost

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore agriculture by viewing a PowerPoint presentation in class. In this animal relationship lesson, 3rd graders identify the types of farm animals humans feed on and their dependency on such small insects like worms....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Red Wigglers

For Teachers K - 1st
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Collecting Compost

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students observe a composting box. In this soil lesson, students create a composting bin by using a bin, newspaper, worms, and food scraps. Students create a composting food web.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling by Composting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the idea of recycling by composting. Using the internet, they research the benefits of composting to the environment. In groups, they collect numbers on how much food and yard waste is produced in their community. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classroom Composting

For Teachers K - 6th
Students discover the benefits of composting. They identify the steps of decomposition as well. They are read a book and discuss what items decompose.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Composting: Vermiculture

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Students set up their own composting bin. They observe and record their findings during a period of time. They describe the decomposing process as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soda Bottle Compost: Nutrient Cycling in Action

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate, through their own experimentation, the important role wildlife play in nutrient cycling. Earthworms and compost are used in this experiment and different experimental setups be evaluated.