The subject of our 2nd grade lesson is soil and the ‘4th R’ – ROT. The presentation explains that composting feeds the Earth, providing important nutrients for soil and in turn for plants. Students will enjoy "cooking" their own soil realizing that soil takes a long time to make and therefore is considered a non-renewable resource.  If there is enough time students will also be introduced to hydroponics and aquaponics.

Objectives:

Students will understand: 

• how nature recycles organic matter.
• the process of how soil is created.
• where their food comes from.
• macro and micro invertebrates role in soil formation.
• that soil is different in varied areas of the world (US)

Vocabulary:

Compost – to allow food scraps to rot and become fertilizer for plants

Decompose – to break down, disintegrate or rot

Organic - referring to living things

Biodegradable – something that was once living and can decompose or rot

Macro organisms – small living things like worms

Microorganisms – very small living things like bacteria

NGSS Learning Standards met by this lesson:

2-LS4-1 Science and Engineering Practice—Make observations first hand to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.

2-LS4-1: Scientists look for patterns and order when making observations about the world.

LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in Eco- Systems (Discovery Core Idea)

2-LS2-1: Plants depend on water and light to grow.

Cross cutting Concept: Cause and Effect

2-LS2-2: Events have causes that generate observational pattern

Common Core: W.2.8: Recall Information from Experiences/ Gather information from provided source to answer questions (2-LS-1) (2LS4-1)

ESS1.C: Discover Core Idea: History of Planet Earth

Some Events Happen Fast, others occur very slowly over a time period, much longer than one can observe ( 2 ESS-1)

 ESS2.A: Maps show where things are located. One can map shapes and kinds of land and water in any area. (2-ESS-2)

Cross Cutting Concepts Patterns: Patterns in natural world can be observed (2-ESS-2) 2-ESS2-3)

Stability and Change: Things may change slow or fast. (2- ESS1-1)  (2-ESS2-1)

IL. Learning standards met by this lesson:
4.A.1a, 4.A.1d, 13.B.1e, 13.B.3a, 12.E.1a, 12.E.2c, 13.B.1e, 13.B.2f, 13.B.3a, 17.B.1b

Frontload Materials

 Catchy song that will be shared during lesson to reinforce concepts. While it is not necessary to frontload prior to our presentation,  please have available during presentation.  You may never get it out of your head!!
Dirt Made My Lunch video

Follow-up Activities and Extended Learning

1. Use a worm bin in the classroom. Call the McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program at 815-344-4054 for materials and directions.

2. Have students write a story about a worm, who liked to eat food scraps and who was happy that he/she was helping the Earth.

Resources: http://www.exploratorium.edu/gardening/feed/everyone_gets_lunch/index.html

http://www.exploratorium.edu/gardening/feed/index.html

http://extension.illinois.edu/gpe/gpe.html   

Letter to Parents - teachers please share via print, email or web with your students' families after our presentation

2 up on a letter page word document

2nd grade Lesson - letter to parents