Earthworm Observation

Core Learning Experience + Supplies and Equipment

​​Best time and place to find a worm colony – under a pot, rocks, or bricks after it has rained. Bring magnifiers, clipboards with pencils to make a life drawing, a container to bring a couple of worms inside to observe body and movement closely. Emphasize respect for living things.

Possible/Expected Discoveries

  • ​Some animals and plants are alike in the way they look and in the things they do, and others are very different from one another. Can you describe some differences between a worm and us? Similarities? Size, movement, habitat, food intake etc.
  • Plants and animals have features that help them live in different environments. 
  • What do you think a worm has to help it live in dirt under the ground?
  • An earthworm is a small, elongated soft invertebrate (no spine). There are many other kinds of worms.

Extended Learning and Other Curriculum Areas

  • ​​​Create an earthworm habitat in an aquarium. Add rich dark soil, plant matter, water, and the worms. Spray with water every now and again. Release them outdoors after a couple of days.
  •  Crawl around like worms; pile up some blankets and crawl through them. Make up a “worm song”.
  • Use thick brown yarn to make worms. Place them side-by-side and pick the longest, shortest. Count them. Make “wormy” letters with them. Glue on paper to make a design.

Activity Packs and Printables

Websites

​http://can-do.com/uci/ssi2001/soilandworms.html

Books

​Wiggling Worms at Work by Wendy Pfeffer
An Earthworm’s Life by John Himmelman
Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser