Our Friend the Worm! - Introducing Worm Composting into the Classroom

Tamara Pickens, Westwood Intermediate, Spring lake Park, MN

Summary

This activity introduces students to vermicomposting; composting with worms. Students will research worms for general knowledge, discovering which worms to use for composting. They will compare ways to set up the bins and will then write an action plan which includes details for construction, maintenance and troubleshooting common problems of the bins in the classroom.

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Learning Goals

This lesson is the first of many in a yearlong study which is designed for students to learn about interdependence between themselves and their living environment. The ultimate goal is to make compost that can be used in our school's unused courtyard garden, greenhouse and forest. Initially, students must apply research skills and then problem solving skills in order develop their action plan for maintaining a healthy ecosystem for their worms. Students will maintain a lab journal, detailing their plans, observations and experiences throughout the year. They will also use their journal to record new vocabulary words. For this lesson they will define: interdependence, systems, vermiculture, composting and casings.

Context for Use

This lesson is meant for 5th graders, but can be used with students anywhere from early elementary to middle school. As mentioned, this is part of a longer study that is being put together to introduce students to environmental education and the concept of interaction. We'll work on the research portion for a week, 30 minutes a day, during our science time. The research will be conducted in our computer lab. This lesson can go with our environmental unit, but I will use it as part of our whole-group science fair project. Overall, it could be easily adapted to just one classroom that wants to have a self-contained worm bin or to a grade-level unit with many bins.

Description and Teaching Materials

Introduction
1. Start the lesson by telling students that we are getting a new classmate and that we are going to play hangman to figure out our new friend's name. W-O-R-M. After a few anticipated yucks, do a KWHL to find out what they already know about worms. Record in journal. A small stuffed worm can be the speaking symbol.
2. Have students record learning target in their journal: Students will understand that systems interact and influence each other. Explain vocabulary, but tell students that they will be figuring out the interaction piece as they study the worms. If it hasn't already come up during the KWHL discussion, explain to the students that the worms will live in composting bins right in the room, which is how we will be able to study them so closely. I don't want to say too much about the benefits of composting, because I want the students to discover this on their own during their research. 
3. Set up 5-6 worm research teams, 4-5 students each. Tell them that they will be orally presenting this info to the rest of the class, so they need to make notes or print info. In computer lab. They may also check out books in the media center. 
Team Topics: biological info on worms (appearance, size, diet, life span, etc.) (1-2 teams), types of worms for composting and where to get them (1 team), how to make a worm bin (1 team), maintenance of the bin (cleaning and feeding of the worms) (1-2 teams), and common problems with bins (a troubleshooting list) (1 team). Spend 2-4 days on the research. Have students write up their summaries and present their information. 
Closure
As a class, come up with an action plan for setting up the worm bin in the classroom. Make sure to have the students submit the action plan to the principal along with a letter asking for permission to do the project in class. 
Materials
Lab journals, computers, books
Good books and websites for students and teachers: 
- Worms Eat My Garbage or Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment both are by Mary Appelhof
- Herman the Worm is a great interactive website at

Teaching Notes and Tips

I have not yet done this activity with my students, but here are some of my concerns. Since we are working with living beings, we really need to make sure we're taking care of them. This isn't an experiment to see if we can just keep them alive. We need to develop rules on how to treat them, feed them, harvest compost, etc. Plans need to be made about what to do with the worms over holidays and at the end of the year. It's also pertinent to use the right type of worm. Some worms are invasive and can't just be released. Finally, some students might be really opposed to working with them, so that could be a concern as well.

Assessment

The majority of the assessments will be lab journals. I'll collect them every week. There will also be a few oral presentations and one formal paper that will be based in the worms. This will fulfill our research paper learning target.

Standards

5.4.2.1.1- Life Science- Interdependence in Living Systems

References and Resources