Intro
Composting is a fascinating process. But how does it work? In this lesson, we will explore different types of composting, and understand why composting is important.
Questions to get everyone thinking
- Do you know what composting is?
- What do you think compost looks like? Smells like? What do you think it is used for?
- Have you seen a compost bin before?
- What does your family do with kitchen scraps (banana peels, carrot tops, apple cores)?
- What do you think people do with yard waste (grass clippings, branches, leaves, weeds)?
New Words to Learn
Compost - a mixture largely of decayed matter of once living things (as grass) or their products (as coffee grinds) and used for fertilizing and conditioning land
decomposer - an organism (as a bacterium or a fungus) that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter
large scale composting - this is usually done city-wide. It is often picked up curbside, along with trash and recycling. In some cities the cost is included in taxes, in others people can pay to have it picked up. The materials are brought to a large facility to become compost.
small scale composting - this is usually done by citizens. It is also known as backyard composting. In this case, materials are put in a bin outside and turned regularly. After some time the compost is complete and can be used for nutrients for soil or mulch.
green compost material - nitrogen or protein-rich matter (manures, food scraps, green lawn clippings and green leaves) provides raw materials for making enzymes.
brown compost material - carbon-rich matter (like branches, stems, dried leaves, peels, bits of wood, bark dust or sawdust pellets, shredded brown paper bags, corn stalks, coffee filters, conifer needles, egg shells, straw, peat moss, wood ash) gives compost its light, fluffy body.
vermicomposting
Watch the following video to see how composting works!
decomposer - an organism (as a bacterium or a fungus) that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter
large scale composting - this is usually done city-wide. It is often picked up curbside, along with trash and recycling. In some cities the cost is included in taxes, in others people can pay to have it picked up. The materials are brought to a large facility to become compost.
small scale composting - this is usually done by citizens. It is also known as backyard composting. In this case, materials are put in a bin outside and turned regularly. After some time the compost is complete and can be used for nutrients for soil or mulch.
green compost material - nitrogen or protein-rich matter (manures, food scraps, green lawn clippings and green leaves) provides raw materials for making enzymes.
brown compost material - carbon-rich matter (like branches, stems, dried leaves, peels, bits of wood, bark dust or sawdust pellets, shredded brown paper bags, corn stalks, coffee filters, conifer needles, egg shells, straw, peat moss, wood ash) gives compost its light, fluffy body.
vermicomposting
Watch the following video to see how composting works!
Activities
Explore types of composting |
There are many different types of composting. Have your child pick a few to learn more about from some of the links on the above definitions. Some examples are vermicomposting, making compost tea, backyard composting, etc.
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Try out composting! |
Get a coffee can, small garbage can, or another small bin that you don't mind getting dirty. Have your child help you to sort out your kitchen scraps for a week to see what it's like to compost. Ask them what they thought of the process and if they would want to always do it. Now what will you do with what you sorted? How does it feel to throw it out?
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Compost Detective |
All you need for this is a week's worth of garbage and a scale! Have your child weigh them self on your scale. Now have them hold a bag full of one week's trash. Subtract the first weight from the second to get the weight of the trash. Now (using gloves, and maybe a nose plug) have your child sort through the garbage for anything that could be composted (paper, food scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, etc.). Now have them figure out the weight of the trash bag without the compostable items. Have them think about the difference in weight. If your child is older, have them multiply this amount times four to determine how much this would save in a month, then multiply by twelve to determine how much it would save in a year. You can even look up your city's population and multiply the amount by the number of people in your city!
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Time to Imagine |
Have your child pretend that they are a compost salesperson. They have to go door to door and convince everyone to start composting. Encourage them to be ready to answer questions, like, "what type of bin should I use?" and "what will happen to my compost?" and "why should I do this?". They are now the compost experts! This can even become a play to be performed in front of friends.
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Activities and Questions for Reflection
- After learning all about compost, do you think we should all compost? What is holding everyone back from composting right now?
- Do you think it is more difficult to compost in the city or in other areas? Are there some types of composting that would work well in a city?
- Have your child draw three stages of composting: the materials before they get put into the bin, the materials all mixed together in the bin, and what the compost can be used for when it is finished. They will get creative with the last piece, and can draw trees, grass, flowers, or vegetables.
- What are the benefits and negative aspects of composting? Do the benefits outweigh the negatives?
- Do you think your school should compost? Would this be difficult for everyone to do? How would you teach everyone the right way to compost?