Organisms Lesson 3
After an investigation of what makes something alive, students discovered that all living
organisms go through the life processes which include reproduction, response to environment,
taking in nutrients, eliminating waste, etc. In organisms Lesson 3 students observe the
characteristics of two similar organisms, earthworms and blackworms . Students then investigate
how these similarities and differences allow the two different species to go through the life
processes.
Focus Question
How are Lumbriculus variegatus and Lumbriculus terrestris similar? How are the different? How
do these similarities and differences allow them to go through the life processes?
Prediction
Students are quickly shown an example of each organism and asked to make a prediction
Prediction Scaffold
I think one similarity is ______________ because ________________.
I think one difference is ______________ because ________________.
I notice/ I wonder Activity(Observation of Lumbriculus variegatus and Lumbriculus terrestris)
Reading Activity
Based on the information found on pages 34-37 in the Organism text please complete the chart.
Then record any new vocabulary word and definitions.
Focus Question: How do Lumbriculus variegatus and Lumbriculus terrestris undergo the
life processes?
Life Process
Take In Nutrients
Produce Waste
Lumbriculus Variegatus
Lumbriculus terrestris
1. Blackworm has a digestive and
circulatory system which job is to
transport nutrients, oxygen, and
waste from the body
Eats soil, decaying leaves and
bacteria
1. Blackworm has a digestive and
circulatory system which job is to
transport nutrients, oxygen, and
waste from the body
Digestive system
Digestive System
Castings
2. Holds tail out of water for gas
exchange
1. Photoreceptors ( nerve cells in tail)
2. Shortens tail
Respond to
Environment
3. Moves in corkscrew fashion
Reproduce
1. Regeneration- any fragment can
regenerate ( light part is
regenerated part)
2. asexual
Movement
Takes in oxygen
Grow
Made of Cells
Die
1. Chaetae tiny hairs that help the
blackworm cling to the mud and
move
2. Move in corkscrew motion
Holds tail out of water for gas exchange
Body has between 150-250 segments
Can regenerate
10 cm long

Blackworms are made of cells

Can die from being taken out of the
water
Do not die from being cut in half

1. Reproduce Sexually
2. Clitellum creates
mucus for eggs
Setae
Breathes through skin
Body has 150 segments
25 centimeters
Earthworms are made of cells
Box and T Chart Graphic Organizer
Focus Question How are Lumbriculus variegatus and Lumbriculus terrestris similar? How are
the different?
Similarities (sample student answers)





Let out waste the same way ( digestive system)
Both use oxygen( circulatory system)
Both are hermaphrodites ( have both male and female parts)
Both have photoreceptors organs that detect light
Both are types of worms which means they have similar structures such as segments no
limbs, complete digestive and circulatory systems
Differences (sample student answers)
Blackworms
Grow up to 10 cm
BUT
Earthworms
But grow up to 25 cm
If cut in half both sides will
regenerate
Eats bacteria that is in the water
Swims like a corkscrew
Breathes through its tail
If cut in half only side with the clitelum will regenerate
Habitat is in the water
Varying color
Photrecetors in its tail
Habitat is in the soil
Body color brown to light pink
Photoreceptors on its skin
Eats dirt
Moves through the dirt using its setea
Breaths through its mouth
*Students were asked to explain in their writing why each of the similarities and
differences were important particularly in reference to how the organisms go through the
life processes.
* Students practice explaining the differences and similarities by stating the information in
the graphic organizer in complete sentences
Model Structure for Compare and Contrast Writing
Compare/Contrast Scaffold
Compare
The ________________ and the _____________________ are similar because they
both___________________. In addition, they ______________________________.
Contrast
The __________________________ and the _________________________ are different
because the __________________________________, but the _______________________.
Also, the _______________________________, whereas ___________________________.
Example Compare Transition Words
Also
In addition
Another reason
furthermore
Example Contrast Transition Words
Another reason
But
Whereas
However
In contrast
*Using their graphic organizers, students organize their information by sharing and
speaking with an partner the information they will put in their writing.
This grading sheet is used only if students are giving an opportunity to present their
information in final copy (presentable) form. I would not use this to grade a notebook
entry.
Lumbriculus Compare and Contrast Paragraphs
Grading Sheet
Similarities
_______The writer has clearly stated three similarities between
blackworms and earthworms.
______ The writer has clearly explained each similarity with appropriate
and correct details
Differences
______The writer has clearly stated three differences between
blackworms and earthworms.
______ The writer has clearly explained each difference with appropriate
and correct details
______ The writer has correlate each difference between the
blackworm and the earthworm
Quality of Writing
______ The writer uses transition words in their writing to help the flow
Of the writing piece
______ The writer has indented the paragraphs
______ The writer used correct spelling, punctuation, grammar
throughout the piece of writing
_____ The writer has an introductory sentence that restates part of the
focus question
______The writer has a closing sentence to wrap up the writing.
______ The writer has used specific vocabulary (no it, they, thing, etc.)
______ The writing makes sense.
GRADE: