"Leaf" It in Your Yard

"Leaf" It in Your Yard is actually four activities in one inquiry. In What Is Composting?, students conduct research using multiple resources to learn about the process of composting.  In How Do You Build a Compost Pile?, students apply their research by creating a compost pile at school that will be maintained once or twice a month for the remainder of the school year. The Composting Virtual Tour is integrated into this activity as an online resource to help teachers, parents, and students visualize the process of composting. In How Do You Maintain a Compost Pile?, students conduct regular maintenance of the classroom pile. Concepts introduced in this inquiry include decomposition, food web, and the nitrogen cycle. The Family Page extends this learning to the community by challenging families to create compost piles at home.