Compost Process - Free Worksheet - SKOOLGO - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step through the compost process shown in the diagram. The arrows show the order — we follow them clockwise starting from the top left.

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Step 1: Top Left – Food Scraps Collected

We see a crate with banana peels, cauliflower, and other food scraps. This is where it all starts — collecting organic waste.

→ Stage 1: Collecting Food Scraps

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Step 2: Top Right – Adding to Compost Bin

The arrow points to a bin where food scraps are being dumped in. Some pieces are falling into the bin. This is adding the collected scraps to your compost container.

→ Stage 2: Adding Scraps to Compost Bin

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Step 3: Bottom Right – Decomposition Happening

Now we see layers inside a bin or pile, with worms (or microbes) breaking down the material. You can see little “S” shapes representing decomposition activity.

→ Stage 3: Decomposition (Breaking Down)

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Step 4: Bottom Center – Finished Compost Ready

There’s a bag filled with dark, rich soil-like material — that’s finished compost! Next to it, there’s a small plant growing out of some compost, showing it’s ready to use.

→ Stage 4: Finished Compost Ready to Use

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Step 5: Bottom Left – Using Compost to Grow Plants

We see plants growing in soil that has been enriched with compost. A watering can is nearby — this shows the compost is helping plants grow better.

→ Stage 5: Using Compost to Help Plants Grow

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Step 6: Back to Top Left – Cycle Repeats

The last arrow goes back to the crate of food scraps — meaning after you harvest plants, you might have more kitchen waste again, and the cycle continues!

But since the worksheet asks for stages of the *compost process*, not the full life cycle of gardening, we usually stop at “using compost.” However, looking at the diagram, there are exactly 6 labeled boxes/circles to fill — so we include the return to collection as part of the cycle.

Wait — let’s count the circles:

There are 6 empty circles connected to each image. So we need 6 numbered stages.

Let’s re-map carefully following the arrows:

Start at top-left crate → circle #1
Then top-right bin → circle #2
Then bottom-right layered bin → circle #3
Then bottom-center bag + sprout → circle #4
Then bottom-left garden with watering can → circle #5
Then... wait, the arrow from bottom-left goes BACK to top-left crate? That would be stage 6?

Actually, no — look again:

From bottom-left (garden), the arrow points UP to the crate — but that’s completing the loop. But the worksheet likely wants the linear process of making compost, not the infinite loop.

However, since there are 6 diagrams and 6 circles, we must assign one stage per diagram.

Let’s label them in order of the arrows:

1. Crate of scraps → Collecting Organic Waste
2. Dumping into bin → Adding to Compost Container
3. Layered bin with worms → Decomposition Process
4. Bag of finished compost → Harvesting Finished Compost
5. Plant growing in compost → Applying Compost to Soil
6. Garden being watered → Growing Healthy Plants (which will eventually produce more scraps)

But actually, looking closely at the images:

- Image 1 (top left): Crate of food scraps → Collection
- Image 2 (top right): Dropping scraps into bin → Adding to Compost Bin
- Image 3 (bottom right): Layers with worms → Decomposition
- Image 4 (bottom center): Bag of compost + small sprout → Compost is Ready
- Image 5 (bottom left): Plants growing + watering can → Using Compost to Grow Plants
- Image 6 (back to top left)? Wait — no, the sixth image isn’t separate — the arrow from bottom-left points back to top-left, which is already used.

Wait — I think I miscounted. Let me list the images again:

There are 6 distinct illustrations:

A. Crate with food scraps (top left)
B. Bin receiving scraps (top right)
C. Layered compost bin with worms (bottom right)
D. Bag of finished compost + tiny sprout (bottom center)
E. Garden bed with carrots and watering can (bottom left)
F. ??? — Actually, that’s only 5? No — wait, the sprout next to the bag is part of D, and the garden is E, and then the arrow from E goes back to A.

But there are 6 circles to fill. Let me check the original layout mentally:

Looking at the user's description and standard worksheets like this, the six stages are typically:

1. Collect food scraps
2. Add to compost bin
3. Let it decompose (with air, water, microbes)
4. Turn/mix the compost (sometimes shown) — but here, the layered bin may represent active decomposition
5. Harvest finished compost
6. Use it in garden

In this diagram:

- Circle near crate → 1. Collect Scraps
- Circle near dumping bin → 2. Add to Bin
- Circle near layered bin → 3. Decompose
- Circle near bag → 4. Finished Compost
- Circle near garden → 5. Use in Garden
- And the sixth? The sprout next to the bag? Or perhaps the watering can scene is split?

Wait — actually, looking again: the bottom-left image has two parts — the garden bed AND the watering can. But it’s one illustration.

Perhaps the sixth stage is implied by the arrow going back — but that doesn't make sense for numbering.

Alternative approach: Maybe the stages are:

Following the arrows strictly:

Start at top-left crate → Stage 1
Arrow to top-right bin → Stage 2
Arrow down to layered bin → Stage 3
Arrow left to bag → Stage 4
Arrow up-left to garden → Stage 5
Arrow up to crate → Stage 6? But that’s repeating.

That can’t be right.

Wait — perhaps I missed an image. Let me recount based on common compost cycle worksheets:

Standard 6-stage compost process for kids:

1. Gather food scraps
2. Put in compost bin
3. Add browns (leaves, paper) — but not shown here
4. Mix/turn compost — not clearly shown
5. Wait for decomposition
6. Use finished compost

But in this diagram, we don’t see “browns” or “turning.”

Looking at the actual visuals described:

Image 1: Crate of greens (food scraps) → Collection
Image 2: Dropping into bin → Addition
Image 3: Bin with layers and worms → Decomposition
Image 4: Bag of dark compost → Maturation / Finished Product
Image 5: Small plant growing from compost → Application
Image 6: Larger garden with multiple plants and watering can → Growth / Benefit

Ah! Perhaps the bottom-left image is considered two stages? No, it’s one drawing.

Wait — there are 6 circles placed around the 6 images. Each image has one circle attached via a line.

So:

- Circle 1: attached to crate → Stage 1
- Circle 2: attached to dumping bin → Stage 2
- Circle 3: attached to layered bin → Stage 3
- Circle 4: attached to bag → Stage 4
- Circle 5: attached to garden with watering can → Stage 5
- Circle 6: attached to... what? There’s also a small sprout next to the bag — is that a separate image? In the text description, it says: “a small plant growing out of some compost” next to the bag — that might be considered a separate visual element.

Actually, rereading the initial problem statement: “Number and name each stage of the compost process” and there are 6 blank circles.

Given that, and standard educational content, here is the most logical assignment:

Follow the arrows in order:

1. Collecting Food Scraps (crate)
2. Adding to Compost Bin (dumping into bin)
3. Decomposition Begins (layered bin with worms)
4. Compost Matures (bag of finished compost)
5. Apply to Soil (small sprout using compost)
6. Plants Grow Healthily (garden with watering can)

Yes — that makes sense. The small sprout next to the bag is stage 5, and the larger garden is stage 6.

Even though they’re close together, they represent different phases: first applying compost to help a seedling, then seeing mature plants benefit.

So final numbering:

Circle near crate → 1. Collect Food Scraps
Circle near dumping bin → 2. Add to Compost Bin
Circle near layered bin → 3. Decomposition
Circle near bag → 4. Finished Compost
Circle near small sprout → 5. Apply to New Plants
Circle near garden with watering can → 6. Healthy Plant Growth

But wait — in the diagram, the small sprout is drawn next to the bag, and the garden is separate. And the arrow from the garden goes back to the crate — suggesting the cycle restarts.

For educational purposes, especially for kids, the 6 stages are often taught as:

1. Start with food waste
2. Put it in a compost bin
3. Let nature break it down (decompose)
4. Get rich, dark compost
5. Use it to feed plants
6. Watch plants grow strong (and later, their waste can start new compost)

So even though stage 6 leads back to stage 1, we still number it as stage 6 for completeness.

Therefore, the correct numbering and naming is:

Final Answer:

1. Collecting Food Scraps
2. Adding to Compost Bin
3. Decomposition
4. Finished Compost
5. Applying Compost to Soil
6. Growing Healthy Plants

*(Note: Some curricula may combine 5 and 6, but since there are 6 slots, this is the best fit.)*

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Final Answer:
1. Collecting Food Scraps
2. Adding to Compost Bin
3. Decomposition
4. Finished Compost
5. Applying Compost to Soil
6. Growing Healthy Plants