So you want to get started with worm bins in an easy and accessible way? Look no further! Welcome to SGW’s Quick start guide on worms!
First off…
Why Worms?
- Nature's Lil' Recyclers: 🌍
Worms produce some of the best natural fertilizer. Their solid wast or “castings” is rich in nitrogen and trace nitrients your gardens or plants need to thrive!
- Science In Action: 🔬
STEM lessons are a moments away with worms you can observe decomposition, life cycles, and the science of ecosystems right in your classroom. These wrigglers provide hands-on learning that is missing from the sterile classroom environment. Ideas like tracking the bin's productive output, or charting the worms' growth is the perfect way to introduce more complex topics related to data collection.
- Eco-Warriors Unite!: 🌱
We love to teach responsibility when in our classrooms. When we feed our worm buddies, we reduce the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
- Squiggly Mindfulness: 🧘♂️
Hear us out… watching worms can be quite calming (as long as you are brave enough to hold them!). Holding worms is a sensory experience that can serve as a meditative break for both students and teachers.
- Responsibility & Care: 🌼
Tending to a worm bin teaches students about responsibility. Just like a pet, worms need care, feeding, and the right environment to thrive.
- Cultivating Curiosity: 🕵️
Worm bins spark questions! Why are some worms bigger? Why do they avoid light? How do they eat? Get ready for some inquisitive little minds!
Sourcing
The things you need for worm bins are…
- Two bins (one we will drill holes in)
- One bin lid
- Bedding, we like Cocopeat Blocks made Prococo but this can be shreaded newspaper or cardboard, dry leaves also work
We sourced our two bins from Home Depot. It’s sold as a 27 Gal Tough Storage Tote in Black with Yellow Lid. We prefer the black bins as it gives the worms a dark place to feel safe.
HomeDepot.com