Ring that Bell!

Materials

Medium-size dinner bell

Instructions

1. Discuss composting. Explain how worms turn organic matter into soil.
2. Create a compost pile in a large, clear plastic storage bucket. Fill the bucket
half full with loose potting soil. Add leaves or composted material to improve
the soil.
3. Add worms to the soil. If you place a log or stone in the bottom center of the
bucket, the worms will move closer to the sides of the bucket, making them
more visible from the outside.
4. Make a black removable cover for the bucket using cloth or construction
paper (worms like to live in darkness).
5. Encourage the children to feed the worms vegetable scraps and other organic
matter. The worms will turn the garbage into soil.
6. Keep the bucket moist (but not wet) and in a cool place. Young children love
to feed the worms as well as dig for them and observe them.
More to do
More Science: Remove a worm from the bucket and observe it more closely.
Outdoors: Encourage the children to dig outside and discover worms in the
ground.