Grade/Subject Area:

Objectives:

Materials:

• clay flower pot, medium to large
• potting soil
• litter (paper, styrofoam, foil, leaves, bits of bread, fruit peels, bits of apples, raisin, peas, beans, etc.)
• stone to cover hole in bottom
• plastic wrap to cover pot
• large rubber band
• water
• metal pie plate
• newspaper

Lesson Plan:

1. Cover the hole in the bottom of the pot. Fill about 1/3 full with soil.

3. Layer the litter collected on top of the soil until the litter is almost to the bottom of the rim.

4. Cover the litter with a layer of soil almost to the top of the pot.

5. Sprinkle with water until the soil is moist, but not too wet.

6. Cover with the plastic wrap, secure with the rubber band, and place the pot on the pie plate in a warm, dark place.

7. Water occasionally so the soil stays moist.

8. After three(3) weeks, dump out the contents of the pot onto newspapers (layered thick).

9. Do not touch the contents of the pot with your hands. Use a trowel, ruler, large spoon, etc. to spread out the soil.

10. Allow students to look and to make observations. These may be written or oral.

11. Discuss the importance of recycling trash. Note the items that decomposed, partially decomposed, and did not decompose.

12. Have the students make a list or charts to reflect #10.

13. Have the students write paragraphs about how recycling could be organized, improved upon, and/or what a student could do to help in recycling.

14. Have the students research the type of recycling programs in their neighborhoods/town.

15. A bulletin board, art work,or a story book for a younger grade could be a culminating activity for this discussion.

Lesson © Janice McNair

Online Project Center List