Materials
chalk
chalkboard or poster board
paper
pencils, crayons, or markers
pictures of windmills
Instructions
1. Explain to the children that dropping paper and garbage on the ground does
not help the Earth, but putting some things in the ground does.
2. Talk about compost piles with the children. Explain that compost piles help the
Earth by creating rich soil. Explain that you will do an experiment to see what
is good for the Earth.
3. With the children, fill each jar half full of soil. In one jar add a piece of plastic
bag and cover it up. In the next add a leaf and the lettuce (or carrot or coffee
grounds), add soil on top, a little water, and cover them.
4. Explain to the children that you will watch the jars over the next several weeks
to see what happens.
5. Watch the jars for several weeks, uncover the items you buried, and discuss
what happened.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* After discussing what happened in the jars, discuss what kinds of things might
be good to put in a compost pile. Together make a list of things that would be
good to put in a compost pile.
* Do the children understand the function of a compost pile?
