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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students 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

Compost Cake

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine the decomposition process. They create their own class compost pile and record their observations. They discover which materials decompose at a different rate.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A MINI LANDFILL

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students observe the difference between degradable and non-degradable wastes. They create their own landfill in a jar by adding four or five pieces of garbage and then covering it with dirt and water. They make observations on what they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Got to Rot

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners make their own compost in a 2-liter jug and determine the actual volume loss in the composted material over a six-month period.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Preparation for Autumn and Winter

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rotten Truth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate compost. In this Science instructional activity, 4th graders take notes on the components of soil and its relation to plant growth. Students describe the steps in making compost.
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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 lesson 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
Students explore composting. In this composting lesson, 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

Researching the Nutrient Cycle

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this researching the nutrient cycle worksheet, students read about the cycle of nutrients, look at the diagram, then answer two questions by doing research on this topic.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Composting Leftovers

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this composting leftovers instructional activity, students set up an experiment with food waste and soil, observing and recording the differences for two weeks.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Collecting Compost

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students observe a composting box. For 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

The Rotten Truth: Healthy Food from Healthy Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners 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,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's make a landfill

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars create a mini-landfill. For this decomposing lesson, students differentiate between materials that decay from those that won't. Young scholars identify the factors that might help materials from decomposing. Students...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Composting

For Students 4th - 6th
In this composting worksheet, 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

Recyclers Revisited

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe their plant experiments that they started in a previous lesson and examine the role of decomposers in the nitrogen cycle. Two weeks after they set up a worm terrarium, they analyze any changes they observe, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are you going to eat that?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and define composting. STudents compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic composting. Students illustrate the benefits of composting and other methods to reuse, recycle, reduce, and respond. Students identify through...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Your Own Sampling Tools

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars examine cause-and-effect relationship between human attitudes and behavior in the environment. They also assist citizens in increasing their sensitivity and stewardship for the environment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling by Composting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars 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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sustainable Agriculture

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students 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...
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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

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

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

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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What a Waste

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils analyze components of garbage. They collect and sort a few days' worth of garbage. They chart the results of an investigation.