Earthworms (lower primary) – unit plan
Earthworms are of interest to most children, are easily accessible and are an animal species easily kept in the classroom for short periods of time. This makes them ideal subjects for exploring three big science ideas:
Characteristics of living things
Characteristics of animals
Animal adaptations.
In addition, students are introduced to native and introduced earthworms and the many differences earthworms have in size, skin colour and ecosystem roles.
Earthworms
Earthworms help break down organic matter into soil and are an important indicator of the health of the soil. They can also be used directly as a ‘tool’ to determine if certain toxins are present, by measuring the timing of their response to a touch.
Overarching learning outcomes of this teacher resource integrate:
understanding what makes an earthworm a living animal (scientific knowledge)
an investigation into the characteristics of living things and characteristics of animals (scientific practice)
extension of student experiences and personal explanations of the natural world (nature of science)
Students will meet these learning outcomes by:
identifying some of the characteristics of living things, with reference to earthworms
identifying some of the characteristics of animals, with reference to earthworms
observing earthworms (either living specimens or in video clips) and identifying and discussing differences between the species,
Download the unit plan (see link below).
