Singing About Decomposition

Part of the "Rotting Away" Collection

Goal

Students will learn about the process of decomposition that happens at the end of the tree’s life cycle.

Estimated Time

30 Minutes

Setting Required

Inside

Standards

  • S2L1b. Students will relate seasonal changes to observations of how a tree changes throughout a school year.
  • S2L1d. Students will identify fungi as living organisms.
  • S2E3a. Students will recognize the effects that occur in a specific area caused by weather, plants, animals, and/or people.

Procedures

To reinforce what students learned about the process of decomposition that happens at the end of the tree’s life cycle, break the class into three groups to sing Decomposition by Banana Slug String Band together

Verse:

Is there waste? Well, I don’t know.

Cause one thing dies to let another grow.

This circle we see most everyday.

The name that we call it is decay.

 

Chorus:

Well, come on all you people, gather round.

Break down and listen to… decomposition.

Group 1: Munch, munch, munch

Group 2: Decomposition, decomposition, decomposition, decomposition

Group 3: Get down, break down, get down, break down

 

Verse:

There are many kinds of bugs,

Worms and snail and slugs.

They are useful for me and you.

They help to make the soil renew.

 

Chorus

 

Verse:

Decomposition is a useful game.

A tree drops its leaves but they don’t stay the same.

A bug chews them up and spits them back out,

Making the soil for a new tree to sprout.