Embedded Files
Which Foods Do the Worms Prefer?
Which Foods Do the Worms Prefer?
Synopsis: This lesson is an observational science experiment where we took a project that we started in September and are expanding on over the next month. In September, students built a vermicompost bin with red wiggler worms. We learned about how the red wigglers do their jobs and have been caring for their needs. We brought in worms into the classroom to watch them eat 3 types of food: apple, banana, and bread. We want to see what food the worm enjoys best based on how fast the item disappears. This lesson ties nicely to our charter and the grade 3 Earth Systems unit. Later, I will have the students create a poster to display their learning in a creative and visual way. We wrote 'opinion' paragraphs as a tie to language arts detailing their hypotheses on what will happen. This lesson also will have connections to the Soil My Undies experiment where we can use the same vocabulary words and understandings to gain a deeper appreciation of the importance of maintaining healthy soil. Now we will wait and see what comes!
Charter Connections
Charter Connections
Sustainability
Vermicomposting
Decomposition
Program of Studies Connections
Program of Studies Connections
Science "Earth Systems" unit
Scientific Methods
Language Arts-paragraph writing, maintaining a list of observations
Art- poster displays
Math- discussion of time
Soil My Undies- #5
Soil My Undies- #5
Synopsis:
This project has been one of my favorite experiments that we do each year. This year will mark the fifth year tradition of testing the soil at NHCS. In the past we have tested various areas of the school yard, the crop plots as well as the garden soil. This year we are stepping it up and testing different animal manure! Students will divide the garden into 6 sections. One section will be the control, while the others will be each be the different manure. We want to determine if a specific manure will improve the soil better than the others.
Mrs. Besler was invited into class to discuss the purpose of this experiment and how it will benefit our school's garden. She spoke to the steps taken to get the garden prepared for us i.e. harvesting and rototilling. Mrs. Besler also spoke about the yellow bins in the farm yard and how we will use them in this experiment.
After, students went outside to map out the garden plan ensuring to document everything on paper as well. The undies were labelled, buried and then each section of the garden recieved a blanket of manure. Students were divided into teams so that everyone was able to participate.
The hardest part about this experiment is waiting for spring! Once the snow has melted and the ground thaws we will uncover the undies and will conduct various soil tests to see if the manures had different (or similar) impacts on the soil. Stay tuned for part 2!
Charter Connections
Charter Connections
Soil Health
Land Sustainability
Stewardship of the Land
Animal Husbandry
Program of Studies Connections
Program of Studies Connections
Scientific Method
fair testing
making predictions
generating a scientific question
longitudinal studies
Science: Living Systems
Writing
Informative paragraph writing
recording observations
expanding content-specific vocabulary
Math
graphing
measuring time
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