A WebQuest for 3rd Grade Science

Designed by

Sylvia Dixon

Introduction | Task |Resources|Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | 

Teacher Notes

Introduction

This is your big chance to get dirty!  You will be following the earthworm tunnels to discover how wonderful these slimey creatures really are.  These amazing earthworms are very helpful to us humans.  What do you think is interesting about earthworms?
 
 

You and your team will be traveling through  earthworm tunnels, learning  how helpful earthworms are to our environment.  Look below to find out what you will be doing.

Make a wormery ( an earthworm farm)
"Dirt with Eddie the Earthworm" - an interview with an earthworm
Learn about earthworms inside and out
Do an earthworm question-and-answer scavenger hunt
Create  a poster
Write and perform a commercial on the wonders of earthworms
 
 
 

First, you will be assigned to a team of 4 students.  Some of the activities  will be done together as a team and some activities you will do on your own.

  Tunnel #1.  Make a wormery  with your team.  Click here for instructions.

   Tunnel #2.  Interview an earthworm with a partner  from your team. Click here for  "Dirt with Eddie the Earthworm."

   Tunnel #3. This is also to be done with your partner.  Click here to  learn "All About Earthworms."

   Tunnel #4. Complete the question and answer scavenger hunt by yourself. 
Be sure to have your scavenger hunt worksheet with you.  Read the question on your computer screen, find the question on your paper, then click on the highlighted word to find the answer. Click here for worksheet, then print it.

     1.  Do earthworms have eyes? 

     2.  How do earthworms breathe? 

     3.  Can earthworms smell?

     4.  What do earthworms eat?

     5.  Can earthworms freeze?

     6.  How long does it take worms to hatch?

     7.  How long does it take earthworms to mature?

     8.  How do earthworms move?

     9.  What enemies do earthworms have?

    10.  Can earthworms regenerate themselves?  (Can they re-grow if they are chopped 
            in two?)

    11.  How do earthworms obtain their food?  (How do they eat?)
 

  Tunnel #5.  Create a poster with your team. 

                    1.  Include at least 5 interesting facts about earthworms.
                    2.  Include a drawing.
                    3.  Make it colorful.

  Tunnel #6.  Write and perform a commercial with your team.

                    1.  Tell the audience about the amazing things that earthworms do.
                    2.  Everyone on the team should help write the commercial.
                    3.  Choose 1 or 2 members of your team to perform the commercial.
 
 
 

Resources

The Yuckiest Web Site on the Internet

Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Center (London, Ontario, Canada)
 
  

Evaluation
You  may get as many as 100 points for this activity.  Some points you will earn on your own and some points you will earn with your team.  Click here to see how to earn points.
 
 

Conclusion

When you complete Amazing Earthworms, you should have a better understanding of how earthworms improve the quality of soil. Rich soil grows healthy plants like flowers and vegetables, which make life better for us humans!
 
 

Credits & References

Barry's Clip Art - © 1999-(current year)

Flaming Text

ArtToday 

Diehn, Gwen and Krautwurst, Terry; Nature Crafts for Kids - 50 Fantastic Things to Make With Mother Nature's Help, p. 46-47.  Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.; New   York, 1992.

This Webquest was created during an Iredell-Statesville School's summer workshop.