Today I am thankful for squirmy wormies.

11.18.2020

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Today was worm investigation day in my classroom. I had shown the kids a live worm under the document camera on Monday, but they had no idea that today they would all get a live worm to touch and observe. To say they were excited would be an understatement.

During my planning period this morning I carefully prepared 20 little cups of moist soil and placed a little worm friend in each cup. I even covered each cup with a wet paper towel to make sure the soil stayed damp. What I failed to realize, though, was that my little squirmy worms may not want to stay put in their nice little worm cup habitats until it was time for science this afternoon. I was certainly surprised at lunchtime to see that several of my worms had jumped ship and had crawled out of their cups and into the tubs that held the cups. After a minute or two trying to get the worms back into their correct cups, lest a Kindergartener end up devastated without a worm in their cup, I thought I was all set.

When the kids came in from lunch recess and were getting settled down to start science, Miss Kathy (kindergarten aide extraordinaire) looked down and found one of the worms on the floor. The little bugger had crawled out of his cup, out of the tub. and then took a nose-dive right off the countertop. Without missing a beat Kathy bent down and scooped him up to return him safely to his home. I, however, burst out laughing. The hard belly laugh kind of laughing. I laughed and laughed, which of course made the kids laugh and laugh. It all just struck me as really funny. So much for my effort at organizing worms - ha!

Kathy and I passed out the worm cups and helped sort the worms out to make sure everyone got one. The kids had so much fun. There were squeals and giggles. It was a big ol’ mess with dirt on tables and worms wriggling through little fingertips. They explored and observed and oohed and aahed. Some were amazed and others were grossed out. I’m fairly certain that everyone learned something, though – including Ms. Wiebel. The kids learned about the parts of a worm and how they move. As for me, I learned that worm cups need covers.

When we finished, I could not get that mess cleaned up fast enough. Those worms went right back in the big, COVERED container they came in, with no more chance for escapees. I’m still not convinced that there isn’t a worm or two under a random piece of furniture in my classroom somewhere. Those little guys are fast!

Today I am thankful for a fun afternoon of learning. I gotta be honest, though. I’m also kind of thankful that worm investigation day is over.