Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
How can I keep the worms alive?
Answer:
Sometimes the re-sealable bag idea doesn't work best. Instead try small pint-size re-sealable plastic storage containers such as you'd use to store leftovers (like disposable GladWare ® containers).
Question:
How can I clean the plastic tubes for reuse?
Answer:
Small bottle brushes are available but try an old toothbrush. The best bet is to clean them as soon as possible and don't let the soil dry in them.
Question:
How do I keep my room from getting messy?
Answer:
There is going to be some dirt…resign yourself! However, if you have lots of newspaper on hand and have the students work on a newspaper drop cloth, clean-up is much faster and easier.
Question:
How do I get all of the prep done efficiently?
Answer:
If you don't have time to fill all those containers with soils (and who does?!), consider a parent helper or student helper who could do it for you at recess. I just demonstrate to my students how much soil, water, etc, they need for each lesson and have them prepare the materials themselves. I make a materials list for each lesson and post it near a distribution center. Then I talk them through the list, demonstrating amounts as necessary and let them do it themselves. This has the added benefit of familiarizing students with a materials list as it is used in an investigation.
Question:
How long will this unit take?
Answer:
Each lesson will take about 45 minutes to an hour if science notebooking is done with it. The entire unit is sixteen lessons. Some lessons may be done during the same period, for example you could do the "smear test" during the same day as the "touching wet samples test". Time is dependent upon the speed of plant growth however. Budget about 6 weeks at the minimum.