Young children learn about the decomposition process of soil.
Children learn a great deal about growing food and the nutritional value of food when they learn about soil. The National Association for Conservation Districts provides educational resources by topic, a conservation clip art library and PowerPoint presentations on soil and other conservation topics. Children learn subjects such as soil texture, structure, decomposition, erosion, soil biology and soil conservation. Teacher resources include ideas for classroom displays and links to educational material produced by national and local conservation groups. One focus of learning about soil for young children is the decomposition process. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
The Decomposition Process
1. Fill a plastic bag with "once living" materials such as pieces of bread, fruit and vegetables. Ask children, "What do you think is happening in the bag?" Encourage them to describe their observations and predictions. Explain that soil is fed through the decay process of plants.
2. Discuss and make a list of things children think will or will not decompose. Place some suggested materials, such as plastic bottles, in a mini-decomposition chamber such as a sealed plastic bag. Observe at regular intervals to see if the materials decompose.
3. Take children outdoors and observe an area of natural soil. Ask if they can point out materials that are partially decomposed, such as leaves or paper bits. Explain that the "soil food web" needs a constant supply of decomposing materials to provide food for its living organisms. Explain that organisms such as earthworms and tiny insects help create nutrients in soil and nutrition in food.
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