Curated OER
Sort the Compost Bin
Students discover what compost is. In this composting lesson, students view a sample of a compost bin and define what the purpose of compost is. Students discuss what the compost bin consists of and sort the compost bin into the green...
Curated OER
Conservation in Small Places - Composting
A fabulous lesson introduces the art of composting to your gardeners. In it, youngsters learn about the composting process and how it actually works. They discuss the environmental benefits of composting, and use the "lasagna" method...
Curated OER
Let's Make a Compost Cake
Students create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science instructional activity, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Students create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of...
Curated OER
Nutrients Nutrients We Need
Second graders examine the six nutrients humans need to maintain good heath. In this ecosystem instructional activity, 2nd graders learn about how plants grow and compare how humans need nutrients from plants to how plants need nutrients...
Curated OER
Cows, Worms and Compost
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....
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
Soda Bottle Compost: Nutrient Cycling in Action
Young scholars 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.
Curated OER
Organic Farming / Agriculture
Want an organic farming resource packed with experiments, background information, science fair projects, and topics of interest for further research? Here it is. Young environmental scientists can explore concepts involved in organic...
Curated OER
Organic Matter
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...
Purdue University
Food Waste Solutions
Easy doesn't always mean better. In an era with pre-packaged everything, learners consider the environmental impact of the convenient trend. They critique the packaging of food and how waste impacts cost and then look for solutions.
Curated OER
It's Just Dirt
Students discover how seed germination varies according to the soil type. In this soil science lesson, students discuss what plants need in order to grow and investigate various types of soil. Students use their senses to describe each...
Curated OER
Life In the Soil: Home Sweet Home: Red Worms
In this soil worksheet, students complete 2 pages about the importance of soil in plant growth. Students read about red worms and answer 2 questions about composting. Students fill out a chart with their observations of plants planted in...
Curated OER
How to Grow a Sunflower Plant
Students explore botany by conducting a sunflower growth experiment. In this plant life lesson, students identify the anatomy of a sunflower plant and the essential nutrients it requires to grow. Students utilize compost, soil, garden...
Curated OER
Soil Characteristics
Components of soil, such as inorganic or organic materials are detailed along with the main contributions of each. Deposits, weathering, and distinct types of characteristics and properties of soil classes are given.
Curated OER
Sustainable Agriculture
Learners perform an experiment to find out if plants grow best when grown in soil with no fertilizer, with chemical fertilizers, or with compost that they have made themselves. Students discover how agriculture practices can benefit the...
Curated OER
The Rotten Truth: Healthy Food from Healthy Soil
Students 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
The Rotten Truth
Fourth graders investigate compost. For 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
Forest Decomposition
Young scholars explore decomposition. Students define and describe components of the decomposition process. Young scholars make a composter in a terrarium. Students record observations and changes weekly, drawing conclusions about...
Curated OER
Biotechnology
A continuous cascade of information comes through this PowerPoint on biotechnology. The topic is defined, a history is presented, and basic genetic engineering techniques are explained. The topic is covered in an objective manner,...
Curated OER
Soil Preparation for Autumn and Winter
Students determine how and why soil needs to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons. In this agriculture lesson, students determine how to use gardening tools safely. They show how to work with compost material and fertilizer to...
Curated OER
Willie the Worm
Students explore Earth science by participating in a compost activity in class. In this worm lesson, students discuss the importance of worms in the creation of plants. Students cut out pieces from a print out to assemble a paper worm in...
Curated OER
Decomposers at Work!
Students design and conduct investigations that illustrate the process of decomposition. After a lecture/demo, students simulate the process of soil composting in the classroom. They closely chart the decomposition of their soil.
Curated OER
Worming Your Way Through the Soil
Students study soil, living and non-living particles in the soil, and learn about composting. In this soil study lesson, students study soil samples and discuss the living and non-living components of the soil. Students classify the...
Curated OER
Vermicomposting
Fourth graders explore insect life by viewing a soil presentation in class. In this composting lesson, 4th graders read assigned text about the process of composting soil and the necessity of soil in plant life. Students view video clips...