Title: Playing in the Dirt
Time: Two 55 minute class periods and extended days
Grade: 7
Subject: Science
Rational: This lesson is designed so students will gain an
understanding of the benefits of composting. Composting provides a
partial solution to an issue of great concern in many communities.
All around the country, landfills are filling up, garbage incineration
is becoming increasingly unpopular, and other waste disposal
options are becoming harder to find. Composting provides a way of
reducing the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of by
converting it into a product that is useful for gardening,
landscaping, or house plants.
Objectives: SWBAT
1. Construct a compost pile from common household ingredients.
2. Discuss the methods used in composting.
QCCs:
Topic: Scientific Inquiry Process
Standard:
# 1. Uses process skills of observing, classifying, communicating,
measuring, predicting, inferring, identifying, and manipulating
variables. Also uses recording, analyzing, and operationally
defining, formulating models, experimenting, constructing
hypotheses and drawing conclusions.
Materials: Kitchen Compost
vegetable peels and seeds
fruit peels and seeds
coffee grounds
egg shells
nut shells
any other vegetable or fruit scraps
water
Note: Do not add meat scraps, bones, dairy products, oil, or fat.
They may attract pest animals.
Yard or Garden Compost
hay or straw
grass clippings
leaves
ashes
sawdust
wood chips
weeds and other garden waste
manure - shredded paper
soil
Classroom Materials
pencils
paper
computer with internet access
video graphics projector
compost bin – made from chicken wire or wood
Anticipatory Set: For a bell ringer, I would ask the students to take
a piece of notebook paper and tear it into strips. Next I would have
a couple of students go to the garbage can and retrieve all of the
paper that has been thrown away and place it in a pile on the floor
in the front of the room. Next, I would ask the students how we
could use this pile of paper to save money and benefit the
environment.
Procedure:
1. The teacher will visit the following website,
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/compost/why.html and
explore the site and different links with the students.
2. The teacher will encourage the students to discuss the
process of composting including the reasons, benefits,
maintenance, cost, and time involved.
3. The teacher will visit the following website,
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/compost/quiz1.html and have
the class verbally answer each question.
4. On the second day, the teacher will take the students to
the selected spot for the compost pile and begin the
process of making the pile.
5. The teacher will have the students spread soil or "already
done" compost over the compost pile. This layer contains
the microorganisms and soil animals that do the work of
making the compost. It also helps keep the surface moist.
The pile should be about 4 cubic feet in size.
6. Adjust the moisture to the compost pile. Add dry straw or
sawdust to soggy materials, or add water to a pile that is
too dry. The materials should be damp to the touch, but
not so wet that drops come out when squeezed.
7. Allow the pile to "bake". It should heat up quickly and
reach the desired temperature (90 to 140 degree F, or 32
to 60 degree F) in four to five days.
8. "Stir" the compost as it bakes by turning it with a pitch fork
or shovel to speed up the baking time.
9. The pile will settle down from its original height. This is a
good sign that the compost is baking properly.
10.
If the compost pile is mixed or turned every week, it
should be "done", or ready to use, in one to two months. If
it is not turned, the compost should be ready in about six
to twelve months.
11.
The compost should look like dark crumbly soil mixed
with small pieces of organic material. It should have a
sweet, earthly smell.
12.
Feed compost to hungry plants by mixing it with the soil.
Evaluation: The teacher will visual observe and monitor students
participating in the activity. Participation will also be noted through
the student led discussions on composting. This project is ongoing
and the teacher will ask for volunteers to monitor the compost pile
for the remainder of the year. The students will receive a class
participation grade based on the following rubric.
Compost Pile
Teacher name: Mr. Bradshaw
Student Name ___________________
CATEGORY Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Needs
Improvement
Participation Student showed
great
enthusiasm and
focused on the
task. Was
helpful to others,
if asked.
Student showed
some
enthusiasm and
focused on the
task. Was
helpful to others,
if asked.
Student did
work, but lost
focus or became
frustrated. Did
not distract
others.
Student often
lost focus or
became
frustrated and
distracted
others.
Playing in the Dirt was adapted from a lesson plan idea found at
http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/extension/compostfacility/les12.htm.