Make worms bins. Ask students to bring old plastic buckets from home or buy pre-made bins. Drill a few small holes in the bottom of each bin before you distribute them, then place bins on a plastic tray. Allow students to decorate bins with markers, paint, paper and glue.
Explain that worms need to live in soil just as we need to breathe air. Distribute enough soil to create an inch of depth in each bin, and tell students to spread the soil evenly. Next, shred the newspaper into small scraps and spread them across the soil. Use a spray bottle to make the scraps moist.
Collect leftover orange peels, apple cores and other organic materials from students' lunches. Have students observe worms crawling in the soil and newspaper. Distribute the food scraps to students and have them bury the scraps into small pockets of soil.
Explain that worms thrive in dark, moist conditions. Have students place worm bins to the side of the room with a lid over each one. Each day, have students check the level of food and moistness of the worm bedding. Have students add more food and moisture as necessary.