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Do worms really eat dirt?
Web of Life Unit | Lesson 4 of 7

Do worms really eat dirt?

Web of Life Unit | Lesson 4 of 7
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep

DISCUSS:

How would you figure out whether worms were pests or helpful? What evidence would you need?

DISCUSS (1 of 2):

Not everyone was convinced by Darwin. What additional evidence would make Darwin’s claim more convincing?

DISCUSS (2 of 2):

Can you think of any other ways that worms could be helpful besides mixing and loosening up the soil?

DISCUSS:

Do earthworms really just eat dirt, or do they eat other things as well?

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soil


1 of 15

covers the Earth's surface; made of tiny rocks and material from dead plants and animals
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nutrient


2 of 15

a substance that living things need to grow and stay healthy
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fertilizer


3 of 15

a material that contains nutrients to help plants grow
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organism


4 of 15

any living thing
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decomposer


5 of 15

a living thing that can break down dead living things
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castings


6 of 15

worm waste (worm poop)

carbon dioxide


7 of 15

a type of gas that plants sometimes take in and that animals release when they breathe
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system


8 of 15

a group of things that affect each other and function as a whole
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observe


9 of 15

to pay close attention to something
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claim


10 of 15

to say or write an idea
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experiment


11 of 15

a test used to discover new information about a question
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control


12 of 15

something in an experiment that you do not change
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variable


13 of 15

something that you can change in an experiment in order to test an idea
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fair test


14 of 15

an experiment where only one thing is changed, and everything else stays the same
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evidence


15 of 15

information that can be used to support or reject an idea
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Exploration
Agriculture Helpers - earthworms on the ground by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: DAMIAN Films
Peasant Woman Digging, the Jardin de Maubuisson, Pontiose by Camille Pissarro
Rainy Sidewalk by Vince Mig
Watering Can by Momentmal , used under CC0
caterpillar green tree by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Ikpro
common earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, pulling leaves into tunnel in soil, ground, earth, UK by Image used under license from alamy.com: Papilio
drawing of woman and children in garden by Ernest Walbourn
earthworm in water on sidewalk by Carl Barrentine
football field by JSN Young , used under CC0
hands holding earthworms in soil by Image used under license from alamy.com: Rachel Husband
large green caterpillar eating leaf by Luke Gilliam , used under CC BY
person in running shoes walking, rear shot by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Kekyalyaynen
portrait of Charles Darwin by George Richmond
close earthworm photo by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: kzww
Lesson narration:

Grade 5

Ecosystems & The Food Web

Decomposers, Nutrients, & Matter Cycle

5-LS2-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students discover the critical role earthworms play in decomposing dead material and releasing nutrients into the soil. During a two-part activity, Ask a Worm, students observe earthworms and then design their own “fair test” investigations of earthworm behavior. Students first make close observations of worms. Then, students conduct a simple experiment with multiple trials to figure out if worms prefer dry or wet areas. They consider what a “fair test” is and design an experiment to answer other questions about worms.
Preview activity

Exploration

16 mins

Wrap-Up

4 mins

Grade 5

Ecosystems & The Food Web

Decomposers, Nutrients, & Matter Cycle

5-LS2-1

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