ISY Learning Story

Composting in Grade 4

In support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around Climate Action and Sustainable Cities and Communities, Ms. Davis and Mr. Nixon began teaching the fourth grade students about composting.
Looking around the school environment it was noticed that there is a lot of food being thrown away. This observation motivated the fourth graders to take action and get involved in composting.

Compost is a pile of organic waste that breaks down or “decomposes” into a nutrient rich soil over time. Most children in the fourth grade had never composted before, so this was a whole new learning experience for the students. Parents were notified about the upcoming science project and each student brought a plastic container to school to begin the composting process.

The process has begun. Fourth graders have been adding what they need to their food scraps, such as leaves and water, and they learned they need to turn their compost regularly. Although they are in the beginning stages of the composting process, they have learned enough to know the importance of composting. They shared their learning and encouraged others to do the same in the last ISY elementary assembly.

The composting process is part of the cycle of life. It happens naturally on the forest floor when dead leaves fall and decompose, nourishing the soil underneath. Nourishing the forest floor provides the nutrient rich soil for new plants to grow. These kinds of big changes have not happened yet with the students’ compost; however, students will be making predictions, writing, drawing and observing the changes that occur over time.

In a month or so we’ll check back in with the fourth grade students and see what is happening with their compost. In the meantime, composting at home is a good idea. It is said that organic material makes up between a quarter to a half of our total household waste. Composting can reduce the amount of trash in our bins and the tremendous amount of space it takes up in our landfills.

If you would like to learn more about compost and how to begin composting yourself, this Trash Hero website below can be helpful in guiding you through the process.