Decomposition Mini Unit - PowerPoints, Worksheet, Lesson Plans for 8 days

Middle school decomposition mini unit includes 8 days of lesson plans, bellringers, activities, and assessments on decomposition including:

• How to create a compost pile
• How organic matter decomposes
• How decomposition is used in detective work to determine the time of death
• how the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle are impacted by decomposition

Includes a lab activity, a creative and expository writing, scientific literacy, and graph analysis .

Day 1 - Complete a T/F questionairre about compost to assess prior knowledge. Read informative text about compost and answer critical thinking questions. Interview your family about their feelings about compost piles.

Day 2 - Analyze data about the science of compost examining how it impacts the taste and nutrition of crops.

Day 3 - How do detectives use information about decomposition to determine the time of death?

Day 4 - Creative writing exercise solving a mystery using composition data.

Day 5 - Learn about the carbon cycle.

Day 6 - Complete the first part of a long term hands on activity examining decomposition.

Day 7 - Learn about the nitrogen cycle.

Day 8 - Determine the percentage of nitrogen in the air using combustion.

You might also be interested in this nitrogen cycle choice board useful for assessment.