LESSON PLAN Compost
Aim
Level
To know what compost is and to understand how it works and its
importance in the environment
A2
Content - Subject
Science
Communication Language
Use of simple present passive voice, imperative, conditional,
adjectives…
Language functions: giving opinions, asking questions, making
hypotheses
Topic vocabulary: decomposers, decay, landfill, organic waste,
nitrogen, gardening words
4 hrs
Approx. time overall
Plan
Stage 1
Stage 2
Short Description
Links to Activities
Introduction to the topic through Activity 1
opinions and considerations
about decomposition and
natural recycling
Teacher explains what compost
Activity 2
is and how it works
Stage 3
Teacher illustrates the steps to
make compost and students sum
up what they have learnt
Stage 4
Teacher leads students in
Activity 4
understanding the Nitrogen cycle
Stage 5
Teacher helps students in finding
out the benefits of compost for
enviroinment and our life
Teacher evaluates students
during the activities, taking into
consideration their commitment
and how much they are
operative and collaborative
Evaluation
Activity 3
Activity 5
1
Activity 1 Compost
Procedure
Approx. time
Level
Learning outcome
Choose only 2 or 3
Indicators
Choose only 2-4
indicators
Materials
 Introduce the topic, reminding students about the difference
between organic and inorganic matter
 Explain that decomposition is a natural recycling process resulting in
compost, and that we can use the same principle in order to recycle
our organic waste
 Students work on worksheet 1 and worksheet 2
30 mins
A2
Students:
 know the process of decomposition
 recognise what is organic in domestic waste
 understand the link between natural and houseold recycling
 use new words related to the topic
Students:
 confer with their classmates
 share their background knowledge on the subject
 use their knowledge in making hypothesis
 make an effort to speak in English
Worksheet 1 worksheet 2
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2
Activity 2 Compost
Procedure
 Students watch the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRXNo7Ieky8
 Ask questions about the video to establish what ingredients are
needed to make compost
 Explain the importance of microorganisms that work to breakdown
the organic waste to make compost
 Talk about the difference between 'greens' and 'browns' and their
role in composting
 Use the site http://www.compostthis.co.uk/ to find out what you can
or can’t compost
 Make groups of 3/4. Show worksheet 3 on the whiteboard and
review the content with students; then hide it and ask students to
write as many words as they can remember. The winner is the team
who writes the most words.
 In groups of 3, students play the game ”1-2-3…Compost!”: make
copies of worksheet 4 and give each student one card of each type
(one 'greens', one 'browns' and one representing water/soil/air). The
cards are kept face down. Students have to count up to three and,
without looking at their cards, choose one and turn it over. If all the
cards are different, they make up compost and the group gets one
point.
 At the end the groups count how many times they have managed to
make up compost and compare with other groups’ results
Approx. time
Learning outcome
1 hr
Students:
 know what compost is and how it works
 are aware of the role of each element in composting process
 distinguish what is compostable
Indicators
Students:
 make an effort to understand and use English
 relate what they learn to other situations
 follow the rules and respect others’ opinions
Materials
Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRXNo7Ieky8
Website http://www.compostthis.co.uk/
worksheet 3 and worksheet 4
Whiteboard
3
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Activity 3 Compost
Procedure
Approx. time
Learning outcome
 Illustrate to students the steps necessary to create compost and give
them worksheet 5 to complete
 Students use worksheet 6 to sum up what they have learnt about
compost. Working in groups of 2/3, they cut out each statement and
determine whether it is true or false.
 Students divide a sheet into 2 columns, labelling them TRUE and
FALSE, and paste the cut-out statements in the right column
30 mins
Students:
 know the sequence of steps in making compost
 know compost features
Indicators
Students:
 select information
 use information to achieve a result
 take an active role in working in team
Materials
worksheet 5
(vd.https://www.teachervision.com/recycling/printable/2649.html)
worksheet 6
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4
Activity 4 Compost
Procedure
Approx. time
Learning
outcome
 Make students aware of the importance of nitrogen for the life of plants and
animals
 Watch the video
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/ecosystems/nitrogencycle.htm (nitrogen cycle)
 Use the clilstore unit http://multidict.net/cs/2534
(source https://data5.teacherspayteachers.com/)
 Give students worksheet 7 and ask them to cut out the pictures and rebuild
the nitrogen cycle, adding the connecting arrows
1hr
Students:
 know what nitrogen is and where it is found
 know the nitrogen cycle and its role in nature
Indicators
Students:
 collect and organise information
 identify cycles in nature
 are aware of the importance of a balanced ecosystem
Materials
Video
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/ecosystems/nitrogencycle.htm
clilstore unit http://multidict.net/cs/2534
worksheet 7
5
Activity 5 Compost
Procedure
Approx. time
Learning outcome
Indicators
Materials
 Lead students in a discussion about the benefits of composting to
people, to the soil and to the environment in general
 Students work on worksheet 8
 They are then asked to come up with a graphical way to show all the
benefits discussed
30 mins
Students:
 are aware about the effects of compost on soil
 understand why composting is important
 know how waste can affect the planet
Students:
 make hypotheses
 give their opinion based on their knowledge
 are creative
 are aware of the importance of a balanced ecosystem
worksheet 8
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6