Microbes Rule!

Rationale

My fourth grade students have a limited understanding of microbes. They know that germs cause sickness and that germs are too small to be seen with the naked eye. They do not know that microbes make up the overwhelming majority of the Tree of Life and live in all environments throughout the world. They do not know that microbes have a huge ecological impact on the world, and that microbes take on many roles in our world including: keeping nature in balance, treating illnesses, and removing pollutants from the environment. According to Bernard Dixon, "The powerful work of microbes in the soil is essential to the existence of life itself." ⁴ The curriculum unit lays out how the soil food web works and the important role microbes play. Students everywhere need to learn the benefits that microbes provide, and it makes sense to pique their interest while they are young, and while their minds are sponges.

My students enjoy science, but unfortunately due to the demands of testing, the time spent on science has decreased. At my school, we have garden space and a compost bin. Typically second grade uses the garden, since they are not constrained by testing. In this unit, since I have incorporated multiple science standards, I have in essence freed up some time, and plan to take my kids into the garden. Thomas Berry, a world-renowned cultural historian, states, "Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives." ⁵ I grew up exploring nature and I am a teacher who is not afraid to get her hands dirty or to touch a worm. As much as my students need this unit, I do too!

I also wanted to write this unit to benefit teachers not only in my district, but also in schools throughout the world. In the United States, there has been a huge movement toward school gardens. A huge part of the movement is related to addressing childhood obesity and healthy eating habits. There also has been a push to buy local whole foods to avoid eating less healthy processed foods. No matter what the reason is behind the movement, there has been an increase in the emphasis placed on gardens and on eating local foods. This unit is designed to build understanding of how nature works to help the garden grow better.