Grade 4 LP

Lesson Ideas for Grade 4: Break it Down

Introduction/General Ideas:

• For teachers: Compositing 101 gives plenty of background information on composting. http://www.environmentalistseveryday.org/solid-waste-management/environment-friendly-waste-disposal/about-composting.php
• For Students: Curious George episode “Much Ado About Nothing” is all about composting.  Here is a clip of the episode posted on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX4IZ5Y22sw
• For Students: Worm World (run by Discovery) has a lot of great introductory information on worms.  http://yucky.discovery.com/noflash/worm/
• A nice list of several different composting lesson plans encompassing several subjects: http://www.greeningschools.org/resources/view_cat_teacher.cfm?id=73&g=2&t=0&s=0

Science Ideas:

• How is decomposition a part of the energy cycle?  Help students understand that as energy goes through the energy pyramid, it returns to the plants through the soil by decomposition.
•  http://www.thegreenteam.org/pdf/AdditionalLessonPlan-Compost.pdf How does composting work?
• http://suite101.com/article/spring-lesson-plans-a14632 Help students build and create a worm composting habitat.
• http://www.compostheroes.com/lesson_plans A series of lessons on composting and all the organisms and processes involved.
• Video and descriptions of how to make a worm farm! http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/675/preview/

Math Ideas:

• Make measurements of the mass of the compost at the beginning then keep measuring at intervals throughout the process.  After a few measurements, have students start making predictions, graphing, etc.
• Measure the temperature of the compost at the beginning then keep measuring at intervals throughout the process.  After a few measurements, have students start making predictions, graphing, etc.
• Lesson that could be modified to meet these ideas: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/discovering-math-beginning-measurement.cfm
• This http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p035.shtml is a science fair project that may be advanced for 4^th grade, but it could be a good source of information and ideas.  It combines BOTH math and science standards!

Social Studies Ideas:

• How does composting help resolve issues with population distribution and environmental issues (esp. solid waste)?  Lesson to help with this idea: http://www.ycswa.com/ec_lessonplans_02.asp
• Lessons in Waste Management from Keep America Beautiful: http://www.cleansweepusa.org/educators.aspx
• Children in grades 4-5 fill in the blanks, unscramble words, use math skills, do a crossword puzzle, and put together a game to learn about the effects of reducing, reusing, and recycling waste on climate change. http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/pdfs/k00-001.pdf
  • In this activity booklet, students in grades 4-5 follow the detective through word scrambles, a crossword puzzle, and matching games to learn about reducing waste. http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/pdfs/4-6.pdf

English Ideas:

• Have students write a story from a worm’s perspective.
• Have students create a narrative story about a piece of organic matter than gets composted and “recycled” through the energy cycle.
• PeeWee at Castle Compost books (6 of them) could be wonderful resources.  There is also a teacher guide available.  The site also has helpful links at the bottom. http://www.castlecompost.com/
• Read portions of “Worms Eat My Garbage” by Mary Appelhof (a book all about composting).

Lastly, VISIT THE GREENWAY TABLE to see how they make and use compost in the garden!