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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can Worms See?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss the previously created worm compost and the importance of living creatures to the Environment.  In this worm lesson, 2nd graders observe worms and record their sensitivity to light. Students design a petri dish...
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PPT
Curated OER

Soil Characteristics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Education Outside

Soil Composition & Discovery

For Teachers 2nd Standards
Organic or mineral? How does the matter matter? Second graders use their knowledge of the rock cycle to label the different components in garden soil.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Selecting Soil Organisms in Compost

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Learners conduct an experiment to demonstrate that many of the enzyme systems needed to break down society's wastes exist in nature among the decomposers in a compost pile. They culture compost bacteria on starch agar to examine the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rotten Truth: Healthy Food from Healthy Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars 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...
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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

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

The Rotten Truth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate compost. In 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Decomposition

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore decomposition. Students define and describe  components of the decomposition process. Students make a composter in a terrarium. Students record observations and changes weekly, drawing conclusions about the results of...
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PPT
Curated OER

Biotechnology

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
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,...
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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 plan, students determine how to use gardening tools safely. They show how to work with compost material and fertilizer...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Compost

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are introduced to the concept of biodegradability. In groups, they use the internet to research the types of materials that affect the process. They collect materials from their local community and develop an experiment...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Selecting Soil Organisms in Compost

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students demonstrate that many of the enzyme systems needed to break down--and therefore clean up-society's wastes already exist in nature among the decomposers. They select the best starch-munching organisms by altering the environment...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worms: Nature's Recyclers

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore vermi-composting. For this vermi-composting lesson, students listen to the story Diary of a Worm and discuss the parts of a worm. They create worm bins and add organic food for the worms to recycle. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Causal Patterns in Ecosystems Section 3

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students design and create a worm and worm free compost tanks for observation of decay in ecosystems. They make predictions, care, and revist tanks using their journals for observation and data collection.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trash Disposal Choices

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students determine the differences between reusable, compostable and recyclable trash.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Long Until Dirt

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the difference between composting and wasting food. They problem-solve what to do about leftovers after lunches so good food doesn't go to waste.They study food storage techniques that are environmentally friendly...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Shredding We Will Go

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars take charge of a recycling project . In this environmental issues lesson, students manage a paper recycling project and use compost made from the recycled paper to beautify trees.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Observing Decomposition

For Students 9th - 12th
In this science worksheet, students focus upon the concept of decomposition and collect data in order to make interpretations or observations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling Concentration & Go Fish

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students play a game based on concentration or memory to place recyclable items into one of 4 groups. For this recycling lesson, students work in groups of 1-4 to place cards with pictures of various items into a Composting, Recycling,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Your Own Newspaper Plant Pots

For Teachers K - 4th
Students make plant pots out of newspaper as part of a recycle, reuse, and reduce lesson. In this recycling lesson, students fold a piece of newspaper to make a pot in which to start plants. They fill it with compost and plant seeds.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organic and Inorganic Recycling

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine their role in polluting the environment and discuss the importance of recycling. In groups, they place earthworms into compost piles to observe why they are considered natural recyclers. They also practice sorting a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling: lesson 4

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create plans in order to reduce solid waste. In this recycling lesson plan, students discuss and come up with plans to reduce consumption, reusing products, recycling materials, and composting and then present their plans to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects of Trash and Garbage On the Environment

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students recognize the importance of solid waste management. In this science lesson plan, students analyze individual solid waste management habits as they enhance their knowledge of solid waste disposal and the recycling process.