The 5 Rs (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)
I can describe the 5Rs and how foods decompose (rot) to form useful nutrients for crops.
- Year 6
The 5 Rs (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)
I can describe the 5Rs and how foods decompose (rot) to form useful nutrients for crops.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The 5Rs are Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot.
- Compost is made by allowing certain types of food waste and other materials to decompose over time.
- Compost provides nutrients to help plants grow and be healthy.
- Compost needs air, moisture and the right mix of waste food and materials.
- Compost can be used in the school grounds to help plants and animals grow.
Keywords
Rot - When something rots it decays or decomposes.
Compost - Compost is useful for growing plants. It can be made by rotting down certain types of food and garden waste.
Nutrient - Nutrients are substances that living things use to stay alive and healthy. Animals take in nutrients from their food.
Decompose - To decompose is to break down or decay.
Micro-organism - A micro-organism is a very tiny living thing.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that compost is just dirt or mud, or is no different from soil.
Explain that compost has a different composition to soil, and is full of nutrients that are beneficial to growing plants.
Equipment
If making compost, aim for a 50:50 mixture of greens (grass cuttings and other plants) and browns (dry leaves, twigs, hay, card, paper etc). Do not compost food waste. Keep the heap damp, not wet.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Plants absorb water and nutrients from the they are growing in.
Q2.Which of these is not a micro-organism?
Q3.Humans create lots of waste everyday at home and school or work. What is waste?
Q4.Match the living thing to the correct group.
