Compost 101
Provided by: Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition|Published on: April 25, 2025
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition
Region: Illinois
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This website defines composting on the most basic level, explaining how composting works, what the benefits are, and even how to set up your own compost project.
- It takes a look at how Illinois has approached composting as well.
- This resource provides definitions, downloadable infographics, guidance for Illinois composting and composting in general, and links to other composting resources.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This website gives a wonderful breakdown of composting including images and sequencing visual aids to better help students understand composting.
- This website allows students to connect to composting through their school community and gives ideas on how to set up a composting program at their own local school.
Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with recycling and why it is important for our world.
- Students should understand the difference between environmental and economic benefits.
- If students need background information on composting, teachers can use the Composting for Schools section to connect the ideas of the article to a real-life implementation.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Pre-teaching greenhouse gas emissions may allow for students to better understand why composting is better for the environment than landfills.
- Have students complete a graphic organizer to see all the benefits of composing such as how composting reduces fertilizer applications on plants/crops/lawns, helps prevent water loss from soil and topsoil erosion, and slows the release of carbon compared to landfills.
- Language arts teachers can have students write a letter to a local business persuading them to set up their own composting bin using state-specific guidelines for Illinois.
- Teachers can check out the School Toolkit linked in the Composting for Schools section to help students set up their own composting project at their local school.
- Math teachers can have students calculate the volume of different composting containers.
- The Compost 101 pages can be downloaded as a PDF file for easier access.
- Early finishers can complete the Crossword on Composting to connect concepts within the article.
In this article, readers will learn about composting including what it is, how it works, and where they can do it. The environmental and economic benefits of composting are also mentioned. This article focuses on Illinois, so some of the resources and links are specific to composting in Illinois. The information presented is accurate and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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