Decomposers!

We began our fourth grade Life Science unit by studying decomposers: organisms such as fungi, worms and bacteria that break down dead or decaying material to use for food.

We created a classroom earthworm bin, and took turns filling it with soil, newspaper and vegetable scraps, and a hundred or so earthworms from my compost bin at home.

Students will continue to add fruit and vegetable leftovers, keep it moist and stir the contents regularly.  We'll observe the bin, and take note of the soil level and how quickly the food items disappear.  We'll cover the bin to keep it dark, and look for earthworm tunnels through the glass at feeding time.


Here are some time-lapse videos of decomposers at work. 

First up, mushrooms and other fungi:



And here are two more:

Mold decomposing a watermelon:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S12zZhdOckc

Ants decomposing a gekko:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Mt2E1M6dU

Enjoy!