Decomposition & Environmental Science Investigation – Materials And Their Properties - Outdoor Lessons

This activity explores the decomposition rates of both natural and man-made objects. Students will make predictions before placing the items onto a large outdoor timeline.

Teaching Structure:

1. Preparation: Begin by drawing a 0-1000 year timeline on the playground using chalk. Ensure students understand the concept of decomposition and its importance.
2. Item Collection: Have students gather a variety of natural and man-made items from your outdoor space (this is also a great opportunity to tidy up the area!). If there isn’t much litter available, consider providing items from a pre-prepared list.
3. Prediction and Discussion: Ask students to share the items they’ve collected and predict how long each one will take to decompose. If desired, they can fill in their tables during this discussion. After making their predictions, reveal the actual decomposition rates, allowing students to update their tables and place the items in the correct position on the timeline.
4. Alternative Option: If you prefer, you can use our item cards instead of having students collect their own items.