When Cathy Nesbitt brings her red wiggler worms into the classroom,
the initial response from students is “Ewww!”
By the time she explains that worms have 5 hearts, that they
are “angels of the earth” helping to mix and aerate
the soil, and that “vermicomposting” - composting
using worms – can transform organic waste into gardeners’
“black gold,” kids are usually enthralled.
“They go from “Eww!” to awe,” Nesbitt
says.
On March 2, the “Worm Lady” brought her presentation
to Grade 3 classes at Chris Hadfield Public School, and set up
a “Worm Chalet” vermicomposting unit, to take care
of lunch leftovers in the classroom.
“A student wrote a persuasive letter, on why we should
have worms as pets... Now we have pet worms!” laughed teacher
Kim Collis, explaining that the Grade 3s just finished a curriculum
unit on “Soil,” and “how the worms help the
plants grow.”
It was a fascinating presentation that had the kids peppering
Nesbitt with questions, and offering to help. Students who would
never have thought of picking up a worm, were asking if they could
hold the little creatures.
It is Nesbitt’s goal to overcome that initial squeamishness
and encourage appreciation of worms. “I really want to get
worms into every school,” says the founder of Cathy’s
Crawly Composters – introducing an earth-friendly method
of composting that produces nutrient-rich worm castings for the
garden. “Thank you to Chris Hadfield PS for being my first.”
For more information, see www.cathyscomposters.com
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