How to Make a Compost Pile With Kindergarteners
Kindergarten is a great time to instill a sense of responsibility for the environment, and building a compost pile is a natural way for children to get involved. Most enjoy digging in the dirt, and a compost pile does not require exact measurements or precise instructions. Building a compost pile also gives kindergartners an opportunity to practice classifying and sorting skills, as they decide which materials can and cannot be composted, and sort them into "brown" and "green" materials.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Brown compost material (dead leaves, sawdust, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds)
- Green compost material (grass clippings, fresh leaves)
- Compost starter, commercial fertilizer or cow manure
- Garden soil
- Pitchfork or shovel
- Hose and water source
Instructions
-
Collect and Classify Compost Materials
-
1
Set up three bins labeled Green Compost Materials, Brown Compost Materials, and Do Not Compost. About a week before you plan to build the compost pile, discuss organic and nonorganic materials, and brainstorm a list of potential compost materials. Brown compost material can include dead leaves, sawdust, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags. These items all contribute carbon to the compost. Green compost materials include grass clippings and fresh leaves, which contribute nitrogen to the compost.
-
2
Ask the children to bring materials for the compost pile. As the children bring materials, have them sort them into the correct bins.
-
-
3
Clear a 4-foot by 4-foot space outside. Remove the sod and any vegetation.
-
4
Have the children spread out all the compost material in 2 to 4 inch layers (depending on how much you have). Start with a layer of brown material, and top it with a layer of green material. Do not pack the layers down, as this will prevent aeration.
-
5
Top the pile with commercial compost starter. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
-
6
Have the children top the pile with a 2-inch layer of garden soil. Avoid soil treated with chemical pesticides, as these will leach into the compost. Do not use sterilized potting soil. The sterilization process kills the beneficial microorganisms you need for the composting process.
-
7
Sprinkle the pile with water until it is as moist as a damp sponge.
-
8
Turn the pile at least once per week. The children can use child-size shovels to move the materials around the edge of the pile toward the center. Check the moisture level and add more water as needed. The compost will be ready in 1 to 3 months, depending on the size of the materials used and how frequently you turn the pile.
-
9
When the compost is finished, it will be uniform in color and texture and will look like dark soil. Have the children help spread the compost over planting beds or the school garden.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Bring samples of the partially decomposed compost into the classroom, and allow the children to examine it with a magnifying glass. Keep a chart of the changes the children observe in the materials.
Have the children keep a compost journal, where they can describe or draw their observations.
Avoid fatty food and meat scraps. These decompose very slowly and can attract pests.
If the compost pile begins to emit foul odors, turn it more frequently.
