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Provided by: Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition |Published on: April 25, 2025
Articles/Websites
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Synopsis
This website defines composting on the most basic level, explaining how composting works, what the benefits are, and even how to set up your own compost project.
It takes a look at how Illinois has approached composting as well.
This resource provides definitions, downloadable infographics, guidance for Illinois composting and composting in general, and links to other composting resources.
This website gives a wonderful breakdown of composting including images and sequencing visual aids to better help students understand composting.
This website allows students to connect to composting through their school community and gives ideas on how to set up a composting program at their own local school.
Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with recycling and why it is important for our world.
Students should understand the difference between environmental and economic benefits.
If students need background information on composting, teachers can use the Composting for Schools section to connect the ideas of the article to a real-life implementation.
Differentiation & Implementation
Pre-teaching greenhouse gas emissions may allow for students to better understand why composting is better for the environment than landfills.
Have students complete a graphic organizer to see all the benefits of composing such as how composting reduces fertilizer applications on plants/crops/lawns, helps prevent water loss from soil and topsoil erosion, and slows the release of carbon compared to landfills.
Language arts teachers can have students write a letter to a local business persuading them to set up their own composting bin using state-specific guidelines for Illinois.
Teachers can check out the School Toolkit linked in the Composting for Schools section to help students set up their own composting project at their local school.
Math teachers can have students calculate the volume of different composting containers.
The Compost 101 pages can be downloaded as a PDF file for easier access.
Early finishers can complete the Crossword on Composting to connect concepts within the article.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
