Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Invertebrates - What are Worms?

Worms are invertebrates (animals without a backbone). There are many different kinds of worms and they live in many different habitats.






Scientists classify worms into 3 basic groups.
  • flatworms
  • roundworms
  • segmented worms

Flatworms are well.....flat! Examples are tapeworms, planarians, and flukes.

Roundworms can live in almost any moist environment. An example is the hookworm. 

Segmented Worms have bodies made up of many linked sections called segments. An example is the earthworm. You can probably find earthworms if you dig in garden soil. Earthworms are good for the soil. They loosen the soil allowing air, water, and plant roots to move through the soil. Plus their droppings make the soil fertile. Earthworms are great friends of gardeners!


Here are some great resources for kids to learn about worms.

Websites:

University of Illinois

Discover Kids

Discover Kids

Discovery Kids

Discovery Kids

Books:

Wiggling Worms at Work (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)   Wonderful Worms  Kids' Easy-to-Create Wildlife Habitats: For Small Spaces in City-Suburbs-Countryside (Quick Starts for Kids!)


Activities
  • Use a hand lens to look for and observe worms in their natural environment: the garden.
  • Talk a walk after it rains. Sometimes worms can be seen on the sidewalk.
  • Younger kids can try crawling like a worm.
  • Start a compost pile.
  • Take pictures of worms in the garden.
  • Sketch pictures of worms.




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3 comments:

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  3. THANK YOU, Thank you, Thank you....I truly appreciate this more than words can say.
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