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ami*
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| Posted: March 19 2007 at 1:51pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone ever done anything with worms? That's what we are going to do this week because our worms arrived (my sister ordered us a Wormvue Wonder).
Thanks for any ideas! 
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MaryM
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| Posted: March 21 2007 at 1:16am | IP Logged
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Diary of a Worm
E-naturalist has an earth worm unit - "Tug of War"
A fun site with earthworm information - The Adventures of Herman (Squirmin' Herman, the worm that is)
This unit study has been mentioned before - unit-study book called Worms Eat Our Garbage
Heart and Mind Magazine had a great composting unit it last year. Unfortunately that unit is not posted on their website like some of the others.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Michaela
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| Posted: March 21 2007 at 2:52am | IP Logged
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It's been a while, but I remember the fun we had with our worm unit five years ago. It wasn't very indepth because my oldest was in K.
We read a few books
Pets in a Jar
Squirmy Wormy Composters
and a title on Earthworms, but I don't remember which one.
We dug for worms to create a habitat. It was fun, but I didn't like the size of the worms so I went to the store and purchased earthworms in the sporting goods section.
Used a large glass jar for the habitat. Layered various types of soil (choose different color/texture to see the burrows better). Sprinkled oatmeal on top. Added water to moisturize the dirt. (The worms weren't very active until I added the water)
Covered the jar with black construction paper -- we took it off for observation.
vocab words-- habitat, burrow, segment, posterior, composting, worm castings (poop), ect.
Diagram of inside -- worm's gizzard, hearts, esophagus, pharynx, ect.
listed other worms -- leech, tapeworm, and two or three more
Discussed their life cycle, reproduction, how they eat, and the food web.
Included all pics in lapbook including what eats them.
Measured the worms before putting them in the jar and two weeks later.
That's all I can remember now. I've been planning to do a worm unit next month while we study soil.
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 21 2007 at 10:30am | IP Logged
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Do any of these units discuss why do the worms come out when it rains? We have a plethora of earthworms on our pavements and in puddles, and they come into our basement, too. Some drown, others look like they are swimming...it's always fascinated me, but I can't provide any explanation to ds as to what is going on? 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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extremeknitter
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| Posted: March 21 2007 at 11:06am | IP Logged
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I have no ideas re: what to do with them (w're dissecting them next week), but I did find a few articles that had the same basic answer to the question of worms coming out in/after rain.
Quote:
Q. Why do worms come onto driveways and sidewalks when it rains?
A. Dr. Dennis Linden, Cindy Hale, and other worm experts say that worms do NOT surface to avoid drowning. In fact, they come to the surface during rains (especially in the spring) so they can move overland. The temporarily wet conditions give worms a chance to move safely to new places. Since worms breathe through their skin, the skin must stay wet in order for the oxygen to pass through it. After rain or during high humidity are safe times for worms to move around without dehydrating. It is true that, without oxygen, worms will suffocate. But earthworms can survive for several weeks under water, providing there is sufficient oxygen in the water to support them.
Q. Do earthworms come to the surface after heavy rains to avoid drowning?
A. Not exactly. Earthworms can survive for several weeks under water providing there is sufficient oxygen in the water to support them. They surface as a response to high relative humidity after rain because they can move around safely without drying out.
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/search/WormNotes3.html
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blessings and peace,
~knitter
mom to 6 terrific kids (ages 21 down to 1) and 10 little saints
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 21 2007 at 12:32pm | IP Logged
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extremeknitter wrote:
| I have no ideas re: what to do with them (w're dissecting them next week), but I did find a few articles that had the same basic answer to the question of worms coming out in/after rain. |
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Thanks for that! I don't know what they are seeking in my house, but I know they must be sorely disappointed. 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Christine
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| Posted: March 21 2007 at 2:51pm | IP Logged
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My children are constantly playing with earthworms outside. 
Their favorite earthworm book is Wiggling Worms at Work by Wendy Pfeffer. It is part of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. It answers a myriad of questions that my children have asked me, including "why earthworms come out in the rain".
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Christine
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Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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Michaela
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| Posted: March 21 2007 at 3:06pm | IP Logged
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This isn't working for me right now, but it might be on my end.
Worm World has video of baby worms hatching and the (5) hearts beating.
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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ami*
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| Posted: March 23 2007 at 10:01pm | IP Logged
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Thanks! I held off, and we are going to start Monday!
I do have Wiggling Worms at Work and The Diary of a Worm. We're excited!
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Earthworms?
