Caring for earthworms in the classroom

In this activity, students consider some of the ethical issues involved with keeping earthworms (and other animals) captive in a classroom setting.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• list the five freedoms that all animals should be able to experience

• describe the optimal conditions for keeping earthworms in the classroom based on the five freedoms and their knowledge of earthworm life processes

• review the conditions under which the class is housing, handling and studying their earthworms.

Download the Word file (see below) for:

• introduction/background notes

• what you need

• what to do

• extension ideas

• student worksheet.