Great Ideas!

The article made me realize that even younger students can begin learning about 'decomposing" materials. It is great to see that students can different cycles throughout the school year and ... See More

The article made me realize that even younger students can begin learning about 'decomposing" materials. It is great to see that students can different cycles throughout the school year and reference back to them. This just shows that students are never to young to investigate, predict and record. There are some great ideas for the classroom to start at the beginning of the year!

Indoor outdoor science

This was a great resource to help me think of ways to make science handson and interesting to elementary students. The seeds of questioning and testing. I am amazed at how as teachers we c... See More

This was a great resource to help me think of ways to make science handson and interesting to elementary students. The seeds of questioning and testing. I am amazed at how as teachers we can make a difference. I love the program that the school has incorporated and the great thing is that many of the activities can be done with no backyard at all! It teaches community sense through its decomposing and recycling idea. Great ideas!

The Natural World Surrounded By Concrete

This article describes a school in an urban concrete environment whose teachers want their students to understand and appreciate the natural world. To accomplish this kindergarten students ... See More

This article describes a school in an urban concrete environment whose teachers want their students to understand and appreciate the natural world. To accomplish this kindergarten students not only take nature walks around the school, they have creating a learning environment through composing bins and what they call “nature logs”. This article explains through photos and descriptions what students did to learn. This is an interesting article and a useful one for urban bound students.

Bringing the Outdoors In

Numerous interdisciplnary connections are made in this article which focuses on using raised beds to teach vermicomposting, landfills, plant growth and more. There is enough in this article... See More

Numerous interdisciplnary connections are made in this article which focuses on using raised beds to teach vermicomposting, landfills, plant growth and more. There is enough in this article to keep your kids busy all year! As a bonus, the writer has included connections for grades one through five which will serve to build on the excellent foundation she describes for her kindergarten students. One note of caution: many of the activities do involve decomposition, so students with allergies to mold may not be able to participate fully.

Dirty, Stinky, Fun

In the article Indoor-Outdoor Science, the classroom created mini landfills of decomposing organic and inorganic litter. They were testing out different kinds of litter for rates of decompo... See More

In the article Indoor-Outdoor Science, the classroom created mini landfills of decomposing organic and inorganic litter. They were testing out different kinds of litter for rates of decomposition. The students made predictions as to which material would decompose faster. After the students made their predictions they recorded observations for a period of time. The class was learning and applying STEM content. Each student was able to learn about the rate of decomposition of organic and inorganic material. They could apply that knowledge with how larger landfills operate and the process that is used. The class also collaborated to create the landfill as well as listen and be receptive to one another’s ideas. This is a great idea for an elementary level class. They would love to collect trash and figure out what happens to it in a landfill. They would love getting down and dirty.