Through a food-waste survey in the lunchroom, research, observation, and discussion, the learners explore what gets thrown in the lunch trash at school and learn about earth-friendly alternatives that reduce waste in landfills, including recycling and composting. Learners discover the benefits of compost and reasons to promote it in the community. They learn that their knowledge can be shared with others through implementing a student generated and planned service project. 

Focus Question: What can we do to promote responsible use of all resources?

The learner will:

• define environmental stewardship
• recognize the need for recyling food waste
• develop questions in order to understand the importance and process of composting
• investigate food waste in the school
• demonstrate understanding of new vocabulary through graphic representions
• communicate in writing the results of their food-waste survey
• discuss a literature selection on composting
• compare and contrast dirt and compost through observation.
• recall vocabulary related to composting
• research information about composting 
• brainstorm ideas for a service-learning project
• come to a consensus on a service project related to food waste 
• create a plan of action and complete the service project
• reflect on the impact of their project
• share the results of their service with peers and/or family.

Teacher observes learner participation in discussion, writing activities, and the lunchroom survey and data analysis. Evaluate student participation in research, discussions, and the compare/contrast activity.Assessment can be made on evidence of student learning through the puzzle-piece discussion about what they have learned about composting and taking better care of our environment, especially noting use of appropriate new vocabulary. A teacher created vocabulary and composting fact quiz may also be used.

This project should be tied to the Earth Day Event

• During this study of composting, it is higlhy recommended that  students have the opportunity to observe decomposition in action. This could be done in several ways using the plans for "Building a Soda Bottle Bioreactor" found at  http://compost.css.cornell.edu/soda.html: the teacher could construct a Soda Bottle Bioreactor as a class demonstration using food scrapes gathered by the students in the school lunch room; groups of students could construct bioreactors in class using donated materiasl; or the instructions could be distributed to each student with a request for volunteers to build the bioreactors at home and bring them to class to share.
• Prior to teaching this unit, investigate composting resources in your local community. This may include a municipal or business composting program or a local garden club with a guest who may speak to the class about composting.
• It is a good idea for teachers to visit the Internet resources prior to introducing the lessons. 
• If the student chosen service project is one that requires funds, such as creating a compost system for school food waste,  local environmental organizaions or  http://donorschoose.org may be a source of funding. or .