Walt Whitman was a composter? Certainly the cycle of life and death he describes in "Leaves of Grass" parallels the processes going on in a compose pile. The interdisciplinary approach detailed here could be used to foster a deeper...

Students explore resource management, specifically farming. After reviewing vocabulary words, groups of students explore what is conserved by each practice. They compare and contrast responses. Students describe farming procedures which...

Students collect weed seeds from three varieties of weeds (knapweed, thistle, or toadflax, for example they may choose others in addition to the spotted knapweed.) They sterilize soil for thirty containers, plant seeds in sterile soil,...

Fact and opinion passages inform readers about the seasons on the prairie and Zambia in Southern Africa. Then, test scholar's knowledge with multiple choice and short answer questions.     

Students experiment to determine the best watering schedule to use when growing grass. In this grass watering lesson plan, students examine rye grass seeds and discuss the role roots play in keeping grass healthy. They grow rye grass in...

Students are challenged to build a bee home out of provided materials and discover a way to produce a new flavor of honey. Students research beekeeping and honey production and brainstorm possible ideas for bee homes and honey production...

Sixth graders investigate a flower plant and the plant cycle. They extend observational skills when looking at a tree by observing, questioning and sharing ideas. They observe a living and nonliving flower and compare and contrast how...

Pupils record temperatures at different locations around campus. They examine the results and draw conclusions about how materials and colors affect the amount of heat produced. They also analyze Los Angeles' temperature records over a...

Students demonstrate the steps of evaporation, cloud formation, and precipitation within the water cycle. They make and demonstrate how to use a hygrometer to record daily humidity and describe how rain, snow, and sleet form.

Students study the effects of water erosion on soil by gathering and analyzing data during an experiment. They decide on appropriate units of measurement to apply in problem solving.

If you are looking for how to introduce elementary environmentalists to the process of composting, here is a comprehensive outline for making it happen. The plan is to set this up at the beginning of a school year in order to observe the...

Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...

Students study living and non-living materials that are found in soil. They study the things required by plants and animals to remain healthy. They design a collage of sand, stones, leaves and other natural items.

Fourth graders sort seeds and predict what conditions are needed for them to germinate. They keep the seeds moist, observe and measure their growth and graph the results. As the seeds start to grow students compare and contrast the each...

The other "Three Rs" are covered in this lesson: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Over four weeks, conservationists collect data about waste in their own homes. They combine their findings with those of other young scholars in order to...

Students research renewable fuels. In this alternative energy lesson, students compile information and create a comparison chart on renewable resources. This lesson includes additional suggested readings, vocabulary, and a Biomass...

In this science worksheet, students focus upon the concept of decomposition and collect data in order to make interpretations or observations.

Students research the Gullah people and their impact on South Carolina. In this South Carolina history lesson, students study, locate, and color the region of Africa the Gullah people came from. Students listen to Gullah music and watch...

Young scholars create dioramas that depict a habitat. In this habitat lesson, students use a variety of art items to develop either a marine, freshwater/pond, or forest habitat in a box. They write an expository essay about their...

Young scholars discover the benefits of composting. They identify the steps of decomposition as well. They are read a book and discuss what items decompose.

Students construct a nest out of mud, string, sticks, and grass using only two fingers or two popsicle sticks to simulate a bird building a nest. They compare/contrast pictures of various bird nests and draw the differences between the...

Students test a variety of plastic bags to test its biodegradability. They record their observations and discuss them once the experiment is complete. They identify materials best suited to be placed in a landfill.

First graders explore the job done by ornithologists. They role play identifying the characteristics that make a bird a bird. They discuss what makes each bird species unique. Students are introduced to Wisconsin's most common and rare...

Students engage in a creative project of making a paper koi pond meant to illustrate the type of life that can be found in the pond ecosystem. They build cultural appreciation for the Japanese by researching the use of the koi ponds.