How to Make Classroom Compost Bins
Creating a classroom compost bin is a wonderful way to teach elementary students about conservation, recycling and the environment. There are a couple basic materials needed to create a classroom compost bin and all students can participate. Composting is an environmentally safe way to recycle leftover food items from lunches such as apple cores and bread crusts. A classroom compost bin can be used all year and creates a multitude of classroom lessons from using it for a discussion about decay or the food chain, to using the compost to nourish soil for classroom gardens.
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Things You'll Need
- Five-gallon container with a lid
- Drill
- Acrylic paint
- Potting soil
- Dried leaves
- Sand
- Spray bottle
- Tray or plate
- Stick or long-handled spoon
Instructions
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Purchase a five-gallon plastic container with a removable lid, such as a storage bin or lidded garbage can to use for the compost container.
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Drill holes along the bottom of the plastic container as well as up the sides to where the lid will sit. About ten holes are appropriate. This is best done before bringing the container to the classroom.
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Students can paint the outside of the classroom compost container with acrylic paints. Acrylic paints will stain clothing so make sure to dress for a mess. Allow each student to paint an item on the outside of the bin using nature as a theme.
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Fill the bottom inch of the container with a small amount of potting soil, dried leaves and sand.
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With a spray bottle, mist the bottom layer of the compost bin. The classroom compost bin is now ready to use. Position the compost bin in a central location on top of a plate or tray to collect any moisture that drip out of drilled holes.
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Teach the students what is appropriate to add to the classroom compost bin. No meats, dairy items or glossy magazines are recommended for composting. If an item is larger than a child's hand, it should be chopped up before adding it into the compost.
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Select students to be in charge of checking the moisture level of the compost daily. If the compost seems dry, mist it with a spray bottle. If the compost appears too moist, shredded newspaper or old classroom papers can be added.
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Compost needs to be stirred once a week. Use a long stick or spoon to stir the contents of the compost. It is natural for compost to be warm to the touch, which is the energy created by the items breaking down and decaying.
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