Teachers:

Denisse Soto

Subject:
Building a Compost Pile

Standard:
RI.3.2 Determine central ideas or themes of a text of a text and analyze their
development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and
phrases in a text relevant way.
Objective (Explicit):
Students will build a compost pile outside in a compost bin, and describe what compost
is, how it is used, and why it is important.
Evidence of Mastery (Measurable):
Build a compost pile outside
Sub-objectives, SWBAT (Sequenced from basic to complex):
Build a compost Pile
Understand what compost is
Key vocabulary:
Compost
Microorganisms
Soil
Biodegradable
Non-Biodegradable
Nutrients
Compost Pile

Materials:
Pitchfork or spading fork
Green and Brown plant trimmings
(see Background Information below)
Yard clippers
Water
Compost bin
Flat-edged shovel

Instructional Input

Opening (state objectives, connect to previous learning, and make relevant to real life)
Teacher Will:
Introduce the cycle
of life and the concept
of decomposition. Explain that by
building a compost pile, we build a
home for decomposers.

Student Will:
Be introduced to the cycle of life and
concept of decomposition. And understand
what decomposers are, in a compost pile.

Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation
Introduce the Cycle of life before introducing composition.

Guided Practice

Teacher Will:
Teacher will have the students collect
the brown and green materials
in separate piles an equal amount of
each works well. Teacher will Assign
students to help with each of the
various tasks of chopping, layering
greens, layering browns, mixing, and
watering. Students can chop materials
by piling up materials on the ground
and using a at edge shovel to bruise or
chop pieces. Clippers can be used to
cut up pieces. Ideal size is about six
inches long, although any bruising is
helpful. These activities should be
carefully supervised. Build the
compost pile by alternating layers of
brown and green material. Add water
by spraying with a hose as you add
each layer. The pile should be about as
wet as a wrung-out sponge.

Student Will:
Students will separate the brown and green
materials in separate piles. Students will help
to do tasks like chopping, layering greens,
layering browns, mixing, and watering.
Students can chop materials
by piling up materials on the ground and
using a at edge shovel to bruise or chop
pieces. Clippers can be used to cut up
pieces. Ideal size is about six inches long,
although any bruising is helpful. Students
will e supervised. Students will Build the
compost pile by alternating layers of brown
and green material. Students will add water
by spraying with a hose as you add each
layer. The pile should be about as wet as a
wrung-out sponge.

Independent Practice

Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation
Supervising students

Teacher Will:
Stir the layers together with
a pitchfork as students build the pile.
Teacher will keep the pile fluffed up
to maximize the air in the pile. Teacher
will be sure to plan for the ongoing
maintenance and eventual harvesting
of the compost pile. Once the pile is
built, teacher will review the basics of
composting and why it is important.
Teacher will explain that students must
finish the pile with a layer of browns,
finished compost, or soil. Teacher tells
students to not put greens on top.

Student Will:
Students will build the compost by following
the right directions.

Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation
Students must follow instructions.

Closing/Student Reflection/Real-life connections:

Compost lesson plan for future classroom.