Introduction 
This lesson was developed as part of the Iredell-Statesville Schools Technology Department's WebQuest training.

This focus of this lesson is earthworms; their biology  and how they are beneficial to the environment.

This lesson is directed toward 3rd grade science..

No prior knowledge is necessary  to complete this lesson.  Computer skills needed, which could be addressed in advance (or as you go) are printing, and clicking on highlighted words, audio, and video.

Science, Grade 3:
The learner will build an understanding of soil concepts

       2.3  Identify various types of soil:?* Sand. ?* Clay.?*
              Humus.?

      2.4  Evaluate composting to show how plant and
             animal material can be broken down to form soil.
 
 
 

This lesson will take several class periods to complete, depending on how many computers are available.  In addition to science, this lesson also involves some writing, art, computer skills and following directions.  Computer work begins with Tunnel #2, so one team could begin there (going back to #1 afterward), while the rest of the class begins at Tunnel #1.  Parent volunteers would be helpful in completing Tunnel #1.  The wormery observations and drawings (Tunnel #1) may extend beyond the rest of the lesson.  You will probably want to design a worksheet for recording these observations and drawings.  At some point (before they die) you may want to set the earthworms free in the school flowerbed.

When dividing students into teams, you may want to assign a "ham" to each team who will want to perform the commercial.

Tunnels #2 and 3 have an audio or video to click on.  You may need to click on "Quick Time" (at the bottom) to get them going.

The only skill you will need is organization in scheduling computer time.
 
 

Variations

If you need to shorten this lesson, the poster or the commercial could be eliminated.  However, this would affect the evaluation.  Possible adjustments may be deducting those points from the total possible points or leaving toe total possible points at 100 and awarding more points for the activity that is not eliminated.

      *Supplies for Wormery activity (see instructions for tunnel #1)
        note:  One item on this list that may require a little advance planning is 
                   the  rotted leaves.
      *Poster Board  (whole or half sheet - your choice)
      *Colored markers
 

Web Sites used in this lesson are:

   * The Yuckiest Site on the Internet - www.yucky.com
             This site is used  for  two of the tunnels.  There is an interview with Eddie Earthworm where he talks about what it is like to be a worm.  There is also general information in All About Earthworms, including videos of  an earthworm being hatched from a cocoon and a worm's heart beating.

   * Southern Crop Protection and Food Researcj Center - Frequently Asked Questions About Earthworms - www.foxc@em.agr.ca
               This site is the source for the scavenger hunt.  I have chosen eleven  of  the questions and answers found here for the students to explore.
 

Parent volunteers to help students assemble the Wormery would be helpful.

This lesson brings to the student's attention a common creature that is not easily seen on a daily basis.  It covers the biology of earthworms as well as their ecological importance.  It gives the student the opportunity to observe, draw, and read about earthworms.

Barry's Clip Art - © 1999-(current year) www.barrysclipart.com"

Flaming Text - http://www.flamingtext.com/

ArtToday - www.arttoday.com/