The document provides guidance for using earthworms to develop science and math skills in early childhood education. It outlines the taxonomy of earthworms, national standards in math and life science, and best practices for inquiry-based learning. Activities are suggested to engage children in exploring earthworms' physical traits, life cycles, environments and roles in soil enrichment through questioning, exploration and reflection.

1. Developing Questions in Science and Math with Earthworms By Lisa Elliott 3/20/07 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Annelida Class: Oligochaeta Order: Haplotaxida Family: Lumbricidae Genus: Lumbricus Species: terrestris Classification Video

2. Whole Child Philosophy Piaget Vygotsky Erikson Maslow Gesell Play Cognitive Social Emotional Physical

3. Life Science Goals in Early Childhood Childs Curiosity Free Exploration and Play Lisa Elliott 4/07 Teacher Interaction Through Focused Exploration Organisms Habitats Nature Encourage Deeper Thinking through Questioning and Focused Exploration Reflect, Represent, Discuss, Demonstrate Experiences Model Respect for Living Things

5. Math Goals National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Numbers and Operations NCTM Measurement NCTM *Emphasis is child centered using math manipulatives, representational models, vocabulary, and discussion. Reasoning Problem Solving Communication Connections Lisa Elliott 4/07 Data Analysis NCTM Patterns Functions And Algebra NCTM Geometry and Spatial Sense NCTM Content Areas

9. Activity 1 K-W-L Chart What I Learned Want to Know What I Know

10. Earthworms - What do earthworms eat? -Where do they live? -What do they like? -How do they breathe underground? -Are alive -Live underground What I Learned Want to Know What I Know