Earth Matters

class growing topic

Explore the soil in your school garden and learn how to make compost. Understand that working with your soil and compost is the foundation for healthy plants and bumper harvests.

  • Location: Outdoors & Indoors
  • School term: All year round, Early Autumn
  • Level of experience: No experience needed
  • Subject(s): Science, Geography, Social Studies

Learning objectives

  • What materials are added to the compost heap to make quality compost
  • How to identify mini beasts who live in the soil
  • Learn about soil texture and how to test it
  • How to use compost around the garden
Main gardening activity Supporting activity 1 Supporting activity 2 Supporting activity 3
Session 1
 Get the soil ready for planting A glossary of soil terms

How much soil?

Draw a map of your garden

Be a soil scientist

Session 2
 Soil texture test

Mini rot pot

The great compost game

Composting life cycle

Session 3
 Leaf compost bin

Mini wormery

Worms up close

Who lives in a place like this?

Session 4
 Use your home made compost

Classroom compost poster

Compost heap sign

Make your compost heap happy