Orchard Curriculum

Lesson Plans for Living Classrooms

LESSON #1: Life & Death of Decomposers

Tuesday, July 12, 2016 Filed in: Compost | Mulch

ALIGNED WITH 4TH GRADE SCIENCE

Compost & Mulch in the Orchards

Common Vision’s week-long unit on decomposers includes a hands-on activity adding compost and mulch to the fruit trees. Here students are introduced to the forest ecology reasons and strategies for maintaining soil health.

STEP 1:

Download Decomposers Unit

from EEI (Education and Environment Initiative)

The EEI unit 4.2.c Life and Death of Decomposers contains six lessons that provide:

Teacher Background Information
Lesson Procedures
Student Readings
Supporting Resources

Access EEI Unit on Decomposers >

Use password "teacheei" for viewing.
Please click the "request password" link if using the EEI resources in classroom.

Recommended Downloads: Student Workbook, WordWall Cards, and Teachers Edition (password required), Visual Aids

Access all 85 California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum units here! Each EEI Curriculum unit contains a combination of teacher, student, and classroom components that are full of engaging lessons and informational texts. EEI Teacher's Editions are password protected since they contain information intended for teachers and administrators only. Please request a password to gain access to the Teacher's Editions.

STEP 2:

Integration Orchard Overlay

Orchard Integration Chart

Helps tie the orchard into the classroom lessons.

Download >

Quest for Care

Hands-on composting and mulching orchard activity.

Download >

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

OPTION ONE: FULL UNIT (6-7 days)

These six lessons can be taught in full to achieve Science Standard 4.2.c to mastery: Students know decomposers, including many fungi, insects, and microorganisms, recycle matter from dead plants and animals.

OPTION TWO: SELECTED LESSONS (5 days)

Teach Lessons 1,2, 3, and 5 for alignment to the Orchard Mulching Activity.

OPTION THREE: JUST ORCHARD ACTIVITY (1-2 days)

See the following components from Lesson 1, 2, 3, and 5: If you are only able to do the Common Vision orchard activity, print out (1) “Teachers Edition” Teacher Background, pg 8, (2) “Student Workbook” readings “Decomposition in the Forest,” and “Wonderful Compost,” and “Testing Topsoil” (3) the “Word Wall Cards, ” and (4) “Visual Aids” to help support this activity.

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