Grade 3 - Vermicomposting Soil Science
Overview: Participate in the magical world of worms, soil and composting! This program includes a classroom vermicomposting bin and information sessions. The students transform into scientists who monitor the worms, feed them organics and observe the magical transformation of food waste into worm castings that can be fed to plants - and then eating the plants! To enhance the learning, we recommend having an edible classroom plant (hint: a potted mint plant would do nicely) so students can taste their food waste in a new life.
This lesson plan is based on the new Alberta Curriculum as of 2023.
The Future Leaders program is pleased to provide the relevant course materials and instruction.
We encourage teachers to recreate these sessions.
Materials: vermicomposting bin, worms, newspaper, spray bottle, paper towels. Optional: potted plant (e.g. mint plant)
Time commitment: 2.5hrs (2x1.25hr hybrid sessions plus check-up visits) offered year round. Recommended start in September
Format: Session 1 begins with a schoolyard game (weather permitting) and classroom introduction to vermicomposting. Session 2 begins with an outdoor game. Students then meet their new worm neighbours.
Teacher Expectations: Set up a classroom feeding schedule and student leader, communicate the status of the worm compost. Optional: feed worm castings to classroom plants, present the worm compost at culminating Expo event.
Subject: Science
Organising Idea: Earth Systems (new)
Learning Outcome: Students analyse changes in Earth’s surface and explain how its layers hold stories of the past.
Skills & Procedures:
Examine soil and its components in the local community
Identify local habitats provided by soil
Describe how soil is changed by plants and animals
Key terms:
vermicompost
soil
habitat
ecosystem
LESSON PLAN
Session 1 - VERMICOMPOSTING SOIL SCIENCE [1.25hr]
Game [15mins]: Soil, Worm, Tree
In this lifecycle game, students all begin in the ‘soil stage’ and mill about in various forms challenging their neighbour to a game of rock, paper, scissors. In the beginning, all students are bunched in a ‘soil’ ball and bounce to their neighbour and challenge them to a game. Whoever wins, progresses to the worm stage. If you win again, you progress to the tree stage. Worm stage is represented with a wriggling body, Tree stage is represented with hands overhead. If you lose, you move down a stage. There is no winner in this game to demonstrate how, just like the natural life cycle, it continues on in perpetuity. The discussion that follows asks students, “What role does soil play in the natural world? Worms? Trees? Is one more important than the other? What role do humans play in an ecosystem?”.
Sharing Circle [10mins]:
We are all interconnected. From the soil beneath our feet to the food we eat and the air we breathe, there is a continuous exchange of energy. Sitting in a circle on the ground outside, think of what you ate at your last meal. How did that food receive its energy? How does soil help me?
Activity [20mins]: Introduction to Vermicomposting
You are made from soil! The food that gives us energy comes from the soil. Soil is a mixture of organic matter such as fish bones, mountain stones, nitrogen gas, pinecones and more! An important part in helping the transition from organic matter into soil is the role of decomposers, like worms!
In this activity, we introduce the concept of vermicomposting and how worms transform organic material like food waste into worm castings that can be used for plant fertiliser. At their desk, students will observe a single worm on a piece of paper towel. They will observe how it moves and with moist hands, they can feel the texture of the worm wriggling.
Students will record their observations in the attached activity sheet (see PDF activity sheet at the bottom of the page)
Activity [10mins]: Code of Conduct
Together, we will review what the worms do and do not eat (see attached infographic), the conditions they need to thrive (e.g cool room, dark corner, moist newspaper) and a code of conduct for best success of worms and students.
Closing Circle [10min]:
In the opening circle, we considered “how does soil help me?” Let us now consider, “how do I help the soil?” Take turns sharing ways in which we can help take care of the natural world and the connection this has to human health (e.g. by composting food waste, humans can reduce the amount of methane in landfills linked to the damaging effects of climate change).
Follow-up Activity: Before the next session, collect food scraps in the compost bin so we can feed the worms on the next visit.
Session 2 - VERMICOMPOSTING SOIL SCIENCE (1.25hr)
Game [20mins]: Wildlife Corridor
Bears, cougars, wolves, and elk - and worms - are all residents of the Bow Valley. Humans live here, too! Compared to the valleys around it, the Bow Valley is low, flat, warm, and dry, creating high quality habitat and movement corridors for animals. This narrow valley also contains the Bow River, railways, highways, municipalities - and wolves!
This game is a variation of ‘Red Rover’ and is played in an outlined rectangle about 30m wide and 50m long. Students begin on one side of the rectangle and ‘transform’ into a herd of Elk. Their job is to travel from one ‘grazing patch’ (think: healthy soil supporting the grass) to the other on the far side of the rectangular playing area. The instructor transforms into a wolf and ‘hunts’ the Elk as they run from one side to the other. Students may not go out of bounds because the boundary is set by the imaginary raging Bow River on one side and on the other is an imaginary massive hoodoo cliff. If an Elk is caught by the Wolf, they die in place, decompose and are recreated as a noisy neighbourhood. They must try and tag the Elk (not the Wolf) as they run from one end to the other. The last Elk standing turns into the Wolf.
Conversation that follows asks students about their experience travelling through the corridor. What were the challenges they faced? What made it easier or more difficult? As humans, we can help wildlife in the Bow Valley by providing them space, staying on designated trails and much more. See here for more tips on living smart with wildlife.
Sharing Circle [10mins]: Gratitude for the Natural World
From the food we eat to the air we breathe and the mountains we love to climb, the natural world helps support our mental and physical health. Share a personal story of a nature experience that made you feel fully alive. Ignite a sense of awe and wonder in your students! Then, ask the students to share, “how does nature help you?”
Activity [20mins]: Wriggly New Neighbours!
In small groups, students take turns watching and recording their observations of the worm bin. The remaining students will prepare the food scraps by tearing the pieces into small bits and tearing up newspaper then adding to the worm bin. The bin is divided into 6 sections and ‘food piles’ rotate through the sections to encourage the worms to travel through the compost bin and consume the bedding and food scraps efficiently.
Sharing Circle [10mins]
In our time together, we learned a lot! Ask students to imagine they have never met the teacher before. What would they want to share about their learning?
Helpful Online Resources
Living with Wildlife Resources from the Bisophere Institute of the Bow Valley https://www.biosphereinstitute.org/living-with-wildlife-resources
Wildlife Corridors Are an Essential Part of the Bow Valley https://y2y.net/blog/wildlife-corridors-bow-valley/