Search for Resources
Description
Decomposers are often seen as annoying insects, but we wouldn’t be able to live without them! During this lesson, students will go for a walk outdoors to identify common macro-decomposers in the schoolyard or nearby forest. They will explore and find various decomposers in leaf litter or a pile of compost using a rake and the reference chart. This activity will help students describe and understand the important role they play in decomposition process. After completing the outdoor component of the activity, students sketch and discuss the decomposers they found in the leaf pile.
General Assessment
Weaknesses
The reference chart does not have many examples and should have additional information added in order to help teachers and students see how many decomposers there are in our world. Students could prepare their own chart for their region before going outdoors.
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This easy-to-implement activity provides a terrific opportunity for students and teachers to address science and environmental studies outcomes through outdoor, hands-on experience.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environment and Outdoor Education: Outdoor Expeditions
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biological Diversity
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Biological Diversity (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
- Science 10: Cycling of Matter in Living Systems
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biological Diversity
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
- Science 10: Cycling of Matter in Living Systems
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions in Our Environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Biological Diversity
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Biological Diversity (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
- Science 10: Cycling of Matter in Living Systems
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Applied Science & Technology: The Living World
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (2)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
