Mrs.

Dillon 6th Grade Science Measuring Earthworms

How long is the Average Earthworm?

N.C. Standard 1.06

Objective 1.06 Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations:
Measurement. Analysis of data. Graphing. Prediction models.

Contents
Earthworm Facts What is an invertebrate? What do earthworms eat? Why are earthworms important? How to measure an earthworm How to find the average length Example Measurement Finding the class average Graphing your Data Conclusions Test your knowledge

Earthworm Facts
Color: reddish grey Lifespan: Up to 6 years

Invertebrate
Herbivore Weight: 11g

Length: Average of 7 to 8 cm but have know to grow up to 35cm

Capable of digging 2 meters down into soil

What do you think invertebrate is?

What is an invertebrate?
An invertebrate is an animal with no backbone. Other invertebrates: Jelly fish Clams Spiders Crabs Insects

What do earthworms eat?

A lot depends on where the worm lives.
Leaves Grass Cardboard Garbage

Sawdust

http://www.worm-farming.com/what-worms-eat.html

Why are earthworms important?

Structure of the soil

Break down leaves and grass into things plants can use
Increase the amount of air and water in the soil Mix the soil layers

http://www.earthwormsoc.org.uk/earthworm-information/earthworm-information-page-3

How to measure an earthworm

Lay the earthworm on a piece of paper.

Take a pencil and mark at the right side, then the left side
Place the ruler next to the lines and match the 0 on the ruler to the mark on the left Where the right mark reaches is the length of the worm.

How do you find the average length of an earthworm?

Measure 10 worms

Record all the lengths

Add all 10 lengths Divide the total by 10 for your average.

Example
4.9 + 8.1 + 5.7 + 6.2 + 7.8 + 7.1+ 6.9 + 5.2 +8.0 + 5.5

= 65.4
65.4/10 = 6.54 The average length of a classroom worm is 6.54 cm

Finding the Class Average

Gather each groups earthworm measurements

Add them together

Divide by the total number of entries You now have the average length for the classrooms earthworms

Why Graph the Data?

Graphing the data is a quick and easy way to present information

Graph Your Data

Take a pencil and graph paper

Draw your graph with x being the number earthworm you are graphing and y being the length
Plot each worms measurements What does your plotline look like? Are the numbers close? How many fit the average length of earthworm?

Conclusions
Was the class average close to the species average?

Was it more or less?

Why do you think that is? Did you enjoy this lesson?

What is an invertebrate?
a. An animal with vertebrate inside its body

b. An animal with a backbone

c. An animal without a backbone d. None of the above

What do earthworms eat?

a. Leaves

b. Grass
c. Garbage d. All of the above

Correct! Awesome Job!

Sorry Try Again!

Credits
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/worms/live/index.ht ml http://www.earthwormsoc.org.uk/earthworminformation/earthworm-information-page-3

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/i nvertebrates/earthworm/
http://www.worm-farming.com/what-wormseat.html