Composting: Science Lesson
Lesson Plan
2 hours 15 minutesGradesK, 1, 2Biology, English Language Arts
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Written by Angelique Hammack
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn about composting and its benefits to Mother Earth by reading Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth and creating compost.
Inquire: Students brainstorm answers to the question “What do plants need to stay healthy?” and watch a video to learn about composting.
Investigate: Students choose from a group of assorted items to determine whether the items belong in the compost, recycle, or waste bins.
Inspire: Students listen to a read aloud of the book Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth and create compost in a two-liter bottle.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Positives
- Sentence frames for student answers are included in the Teacher Document for additional support.
- Students engage in motivating hands-on activities for kinesthetic learning.
- Students use prior knowledge to make connections to essential vocabulary and other academic content through graphics, illustrations, literature, and informational videos.
- Students can learn two composting songs for a physical and brain break during the lesson.
- Students have various opportunities to engage in and practice motor skills and develop critical thinking and verbal reasoning.
- Students work collaboratively with peers for discussion and group work.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teacher must acquire a hard copy or digital copy of Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth from the school or local library.
- Teacher can preview all listed resources:
- Make the Most of Compost! (informational video)
- Recycling Sorting Sheet (cut and paste activity sheet)
- Compost Pile (song)
- Can We Compost It? (poster)
- Compost (song)
- What Do Garbage Trucks Do With Garbage? (informational video)
- For the Investigate section, teacher should prepare the following for the What Can I Compost? activity:
- Option 1: Pre-cut items and place them in one heaping pile on the table, or give students individual piles to pull from.
- Option 2: Place glue, scissors, and What Can I Compost? worksheets on the table and let students cut the items out themselves.
- Teacher must gather materials for bottle composting before the lesson.
- The following videos provide helpful instructions for making a composter.
- Making a Homemade Composter! (informational video)
- Make a Composter (informational video)
Differentiation
- Teacher can assign group work roles for greater student involvement. For example, a supply manager can collect and distribute supplies for the group, a time tracker can make sure the group adheres to time limits, an encourager can give positive feedback to group members, and a speaker can share the finished design with the class.
- Students can use the sentencers provided in the Teacher Document for any class or group discussions.
- Teacher can provide gloves, masks, tongs, or spoons for students who may not want to touch, smell, or handle compost items.
- Anchor charts with essential vocabulary are provided in the Teacher Document and can be used to enhance academic language and various developmental stages.
- Students can construct their own Impact of Human Waste on the Environment poster. Students can choose activities in the Extra Challenge Worksheets.
From the scientist review
This lesson provides elementary background information for students to gain insights on protecting Mother Earth through sustainable waste management, waste separation, and recycling. They will learn how to dispose of all kinds of solid waste and practice how to prepare compost. Additionally, this lesson will allow them to understand the importance of composting and how it can improve plant and soil health. The lesson was reviewed and has passed our science review examination.
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About the teacher writer
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Angelique Hammack
K-8 General and Special Education Teacher
Angelique Hammack is a K–5 educator with a Master of Arts in Education from California State University, San Marcos. She has been teaching since 2017 and specializes in reading, mathematics, and writing in both general and special education settings. Angelique is a certified CALTPA Multiple Subject Scorer and holds an Education Specialist Credential.
