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Lessons
Worm Watching
Discipline
Science
Grades
Prekindergarten, Kindergarten, 1, 2
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Professional Commentary

Students have the opportunity to observe the unique role earthworms play in building soils through this lesson. Students fill a gallon jar with top soil, add earthworms and some organic materials (decaying leaves, lettuce, etc.), wrap the jar in dark paper, and set it in a cool, dark place. A week to ten days later they make observations and draw what they observe. Several extensions for additional explorations are suggested. (author/ts)


Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (2010)
Science Inquiry and Application
Prekindergarten
Life Science
Observations of Living Things
1. 
There are many distinct environments in Ohio that support different kinds of organisms.
Kindergarten
Life Science
Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
1. 
Living things are different from nonliving things.
2. 
Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
Grade 1
Life Science
Basic Needs of Living Things
1. 
Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.
2. 
Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs.
Grade 2
Life Science
Interactions within Habitats
1. 
Living things cause changes on Earth.
Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (2002)
Earth and Space Sciences
Benchmarks (K–2)
B.
Explain that living things cause changes on Earth.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade Kindergarten)
2.
Explore that animals and plants cause changes to their surroundings.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 1)
3.
Explain that all organisms cause changes in the environment where they live; the changes can be very noticeable or slightly noticeable, fast or slow. (e.g., spread of grass cover slowing soil erosion, tree roots slowly breaking sidewalks).
Life Sciences
Benchmarks (K–2)
A.
Discover that there are living things, non-living things and pretend things, and describe the basic needs of living things (organisms).
B.
Explain how organisms function and interact with their physical environment.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade Kindergarten)
6.
Investigate the habitats of many different kinds of local plants and animals and some of the ways in which animals depend on plants and each other in our community
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 1)
1.
Explore that organisms, including people, have basic needs which include air, water, food, living space and shelter.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 2)
1.
Explain that animals, including people, need air, water, food, living space and shelter, and plants need air, water, nutrients (e.g., minerals), living space and light to survive.
2.
Identify that there are many distinct environments that support different kinds of organisms.
Scientific Inquiry
Benchmarks (K–2)
C.
Gather and communicate information from careful observations and simple investigation through a variety of methods.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade Kindergarten)
5.
Draw pictures that correctly portray features of the item being described.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 1)
8.
Use oral, written and pictorial representation to communicate work.
Scientific Ways of Knowing
Benchmarks (K–2)
B.
Recognize the importance of respect for all living things.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade Kindergarten)
3.
Interact with living things and the environment in ways that promote respect.
National Science Education Standards
Science as Inquiry
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry (Grades Kindergarten - 4)
Life Science
The characteristics of organisms (Grades Kindergarten - 4)
Organisms and environments (Grades Kindergarten - 4)