Compost Bin

Subject: Science
Common Core Standard(s):
Writing Standards K5
Grade 2 students: Research to Build and Present Knowledge
8. Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided
sources to answer a question.
Speaking and Listening Standards K5
Grade 2 students: Comprehension and Collaboration
2. Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or
information presented orally or through other media.
New Hampshire Curriculum Framework:
S:SPS1:2:1.1 Make observations and explore materials using all of their
senses (one sense at a time).
S:SPS1:2:4.1 Represent and interpret information and observations in many
ways (such as in tally, pictographs, bar graphs, tables)
Objective(s):
1) Students will keep notes about the compost bin in their science
journals
2) Students will be able to determine what types of items can be placed
in a compost bin
3) Students will work in groups respectfully to complete the compost bin
task

Resources/Materials List:

Interactive white board

YouTube video Composting for Kids (https://youtu.be/dRXNo7Ieky8)
Plastic bin with handle for food scraps
Science journals (one for each student)
8 x 11 inch cardstock paper sheets (one for each student)
Crayons
Markers

Magnifiying glasses
Plastic shovels
Bag of dirt
Digital camera or other device to record digital pictures
Food scraps
Books about composting
Latex-free gloves

Procedure
1) During morning meeting time, the teacher will explain to students that
they will be learning about compost bins during their science time.
She will ask students to save food scraps from their lunch and snack
times and show them the plastic bin they will be placing them in.
2) During snack and lunch time, the teacher will remind students to put
food scraps such as apple cores, banana peels, bread, etc. into the
plastic food bin. She is going to ask students to not put in meat,
cheese, or dairy products for their class food scraps bin.
3) At science time, the teacher will ask students to either sit near the
interactive white board or sit at their desks to view the interactive
white board.
4) The teacher will then play the YouTube video titled Composting for
Kids. Once the movie is over, the teacher will ask students questions
such as: What types of items can go in the compost bin? What cant?
Why is composting important? How could we compost at school? The
teacher will record responses either by writing on the white board, or
opening a word document on the interactive whiteboard and typing out
students answers.
5) At this point, the teacher will explain to students that they are going to
create a compost bin in their classroom. The compost will be used in
the students flower garden in the spring. (depending upon the time of
year and climate, it might be more practical to keep the compost bin
outside the classroom.
6) The teacher will split the classroom into two groups. She will explain to
the students the two tasks for each group. One group will be creating
mini posters about composting using the information gained from the
YouTube video and the other will begin creating the compost bin. Each
group will be given half the class time to work on their task before
switching.

7) The group that is creating the compost bin will begin by getting there
science journal. In the journal, the students will be recording the
information about composting that they learned from the YouTube
video.
8) They will then, with help from the teacher, put on latex-free gloves and
place items into the compost bin from the food scrap buckets using
their hands or tongs. The teacher will just have them use half the
items in the bucket so there will be plenty for the next group.
9) The students will throw away the gloves and wash their hands. When
they return to the bucket, they will be asked to sketch in their science
notebook what the compost bin looks like, including the food scraps.
Alternatively, (or in addition for their blog) students can use a digital
camera or other device that can record pictures and take a picture of
the inside of their recycle bin.
10)
The teacher will then assist them with sprinkling dirt on top of
their food scraps. The groups will then switch. The teacher will place
the lid on the compost bucket.
11)
The students will then observe the compost bucket and food
scraps as the week goes on. The students can see that the food scraps
are deteriorating and becoming mixed in the dirt. Students will be
assigned during the week to observe the compost bin and record their
findings in their science journals. Students may also sketch the
compost bin or take additional digital pictures.
12)
Once the week is completed, the compost bin will be moved
outside, unless it is already there, and students will continue to
monitor it and add food scraps.
Accommodation/Modification:
For a student who is an English Language Learner, it may be helpful for
them to watch a YouTube video about composting that is in their first
language. They could also be supplied with books in their first language
about composting. The teacher would be working with the different groups
and could provide support when needed for the English Language Learner.
They could perhaps create their mini poster in their first language and be
given time during class too explain their poster to their peers and what it
says.

Plans for differentiation:

For lower level students: The teacher could ask a lower level and higher
level student to work together on the two tasks given. They could support
each other in their learning and the lower level learner could learn and
discuss with the higher level learner. The teacher will also be available to
help offer support and guidance.
For the higher level students: The teacher could assign an additional
research task to the higher level students that would involve how they could
compost school wide. She would have them research how much it would
cost, how much additional time would be needed, etc. She would also ask
them to find another school that has implemented a school wide composting
program and ask them questions about how they started the program, who
runs it, how the school benefits, etc.
Assessment:
The teacher will use the students science journals and mini posters on
composting as the assessment piece. The teacher will read and respond to
the students writings in the science journals. She will also look for
information on the mini posters that is accurate and shows that students
understand how to compost and what can be placed in a compost pile. If
needed, the teacher could create a rubric for the students composting mini
posters.
Whats next?
The students could discuss what they have learned about composting
with their school principal, perhaps by creating a Google Slides presentation.
They could present what they have learned in a manner to persuade the
principal to begin a composting program at their school (if one is not already
in place)