The 5 Rs (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)
I can describe the 5Rs and how foods decompose (rot) to form useful nutrients for crops.
The 5 Rs (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)
I can describe the 5Rs and how foods decompose (rot) to form useful nutrients for crops.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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Exit quiz
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