How Do You 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. 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.
