Composting and Worms

We have been reading books about composting as a result of our inquiry into the composting barrel in the EY playground.

The children had many theories about food and so we left fruits and vegetables out in the classroom to observe what happens to them over time.

During a discussion on composting, we noticed that the children were particularly interested in learning more about worms:

Ms. Hannah is an expert in the garden. She likes to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers.

We decided to invite Ms. Hannah to talk about her worm farm and compost bins.

Ms. Hannah showed the children the worms. “We cannot squish them.

They don’t like to feel dry.”

Ms. Hannah let the children hold the worms in their hands. The children squealed with delight.

Mason “We can put the tomato and broccoli in the soil and the worms will eat it.”
Kenan “We can not put the box on the table because the worms will eat the fruit on the table. We need to close it.”
Tracey “We need to give them some water, some mud and soil.”
Patrick “And we can put some sticks and wood and cut the tree and put some wood on the floor. And sticks on the top for the worms to climb.”
Tracey “Why do the worms eat mud?”
Patrick “Why can the worms eat the stinky things?”
Doho “Why are the worms long?”
Mason “Why can’t the worm drink water?”
Kenan “I think he doesn’t have a mouth. He can use his nose.”
Heidi “How come we can see lots of worms when it is raining outside?”
Tracey “Because the worms need water. And the worms will dry.”
Patrick “The worms like the rain, when it comes down the water is all over and the worms like yucky and then the wet.”
Tracey “We can use some plates and the top like a house.
Mason “Inside have some soil and mud. We need to put the tomato and we put the brocolli and carrot in the worm’s box.”
Tracey “We need to put food all the time. Then we can help the worms by putting more food.”