WebQuest Teacher Page
CLASSIFYING AND COMPARING WORMS
Introduction
In this WebQuest, students will conduct Internet research on worms. They also
will answer questions about the different classifications of worms, based on their
Internet research. The will investigate similarities and differences among these
three phyla of invertebrate and summarize the information they collected by
completing the Worm Comparison worksheet. Other information on the
worksheet will also allow students to describe a species for each phylum.
Task
While students are doing their Internet research, they will answer the set of
questions given. Each Web site has some of the answers to the questions, but
several of the questions may require information from two or more of the web
sites. Students should be able to compile information to answer the questions as
they read through each Web site. Students should be encouraged to explore
other Web sites beyond the prompts given.
As students research the answers to the questions, they will also gather
information to use as they complete the Worm Comparison worksheet. Students
will use the worksheet to compare the three phyla of worms, describe their
similarities and differences, and identify a specific example of each type of worm.
Objectives

Classify flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms

Describe the characteristics of flatworms, roundworms, and segmented
worms

Compare and contrast flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms

Identify and describe a specific example of phylum Platyhelminthes,
phylum Nematoda, and phylum Annelida.
Resources
Students will use the Internet links provided to find out all about the different
classifications of worms. By investigating flatworms, roundworms, and
segmented worms, they will collect information in order to describe each of these
phyla of invertebrates. They will compare and contrast these three types of
animals Further research will allow students to describe flatworms, roundworms,
and segmented worms in more detail. Students will also identify and describe a
specific example of each of these types of worms.
Time
2 days to answer the set of questions and complete the Worm Comparison
worksheet
Process
As students progress through the list of Web sites, you may help them focus on
what they need to know to answer the questions. Several of the Web sites have
links to other Web sites with relevant information. If time allows, you may want
to allow students to further explore subjects related to the three phyla of worms.
Always supervise students carefully as they search the Internet.
Students will then continue with their Internet research to compare flatworms,
roundworms, and segmented worms by completing the Worm Comparison
worksheet.
They should use their research to find more information in order to describe how
these three types of worms are similar and how they are different. Students will
include information about an example species from each phylum.
Have students review the rubric to understand how their final product will be
evaluated.
Encourage students to share their worksheets with classmates to compare the
different species of flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms they chose
to investigate.
Worm Comparison worksheet PDF (18K)
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®)
Evaluation
Worm Comparison Worksheet Rubric
Worm Comparison
Possible
Self-
Teacher
Worksheet Rubric
Points*
Assessment
Assessment
Complete all table entries
for flatworms.
Complete all table entries
for roundworms.
Complete all table entries
for segmented worms.
10
10
10
Include at least one
specific example of a
species for each worm
10
phylum.
Write a description for each
example species. Include a
minimum of three facts in
10
the description for each
species.
*You may assign 10 points to each of the 5 questions for a total of 50 possible points. Possible
answers to the questions are given below. You may rate the answer to each question by the
following scale: Excellent – 9-10 points; Very Good – 7-8 points; Good – 5-6 points; Satisfactory –
3-4 points; Poor – 1-2 points; and Unsatisfactory – 0 points.
Possible Answers to Questions about Worms – Student answers will vary
1. Flatworms are part of the phylum Platyhelminthes. They are unsegmented
worms and do not have a coelom. Flatworms do not have a respiratory
system or a circulatory system.
2. Roundworms are part of the phylum Nematoda. They are bilaterally
symmetrical invertebrates. Roundworms have a simple body plan.
3. Segmented worms are part of the phylum Annelida. Segmented worms
have a true coelom. They have a circulatory system and a digestive
system.
4. Flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms are all invertebrates.
Some species of each type of worm are free-living, meaning they are not
dependent on another organism for food.
5. Segmented worms are the most complex animals of these three
invertebrates. Segmented worms have a true coelom. Flatworms do not
have a coelom, and roundworms have a pseudocoelom.
Evaluating the Worksheet
Use the evaluation rubric or other means to assess each student’s Worm
Comparison worksheet. Evaluation of the worksheet should include selfassessment and teacher assessment. Students may want to base part of their
self-assessment on how they have increased their awareness of the similarities
and differences between the three phyla of invertebrates.
Conclusion
Using information gathered from the Internet, students should be able to answer
the questions about flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms. Student
should be able to classify each type of worm and describe its characteristics.
Students should also be able to describe the similarities and differences among
the three invertebrates. After completing their research, students should apply
their learning to complete the Worm Comparison worksheet, where students
continue to describe flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms, as well as
identify and describe one species from phylum Platyhelminthes, phylum
Nematoda, and phylum Annelida.