MAGIC WORMS!

Magic Worms
Essential Question: How long did your worm “grow” when water was dropped on it?
Learning Objective: Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units-whole numbers, halves, or quarters. (Common Core 3.MD.4)

Materials needed per student:
• 2-3 straws with paper wrapping intact
• small cup to hold water
• 1-2 teaspoons water
• ruler
• pencil
• “Magic Worms” directions and recording sheet
Additional Materials:
• SMART Board
• Hover Cam Solo 5 Document Camera
• chart paper
• colorful markers
Procedure:
1. Give each student a straw with the paper covering intact and the “Magic Worms” directions and recording sheet.
2. Have students hold the straw upright with one end on the desk.
3. Have students grasp the paper covering at the top of the straw and push the paper firmly down to the bottom of the straw.
4. Have students carefully remove straws and examine their ‘worms.’
5. Have students measure the length of their ‘worms’ to the nearest quarter of an inch.
6. Assess students measuring skills of their ‘worm’ by using a document camera.

7. Have students record their observations on their sheet.
8. Ask the EQ: How long will your worm “grow” when water is dropped on it? Have students predict and record what will happen when a drop of water is added to the ‘worm’.
9. Have students use the straw to place a drop of water on their ‘worm’ and then examine the expanded ‘worm’ to find out if their predictions were correct. Discuss.
10. Have the students measure the length of their ‘worm’ again.
11. Again assess students measuring skills of their ‘worm’ by using a document camera.
12. Create a class line plot of the growth of their “Magic Worms.”
13. Discuss findings.
Time Required:
• 45-60 minutes


Name ______________________________ Date ___________
MAGIC WORMS
Make a Magic Worm – Directions and Observations
Materials:
• 2-3 straws with paper wrapping intact
• small cup to hold water
• 1-2 teaspoons water
• ruler
• pencil
Directions:
1. Hold your straw upright with one end on the table or desk.
2. Grasp the paper covering at the top of the straw and push the paper firmly down to the bottom of the straw.
3. Carefully remove the straw and examine your ‘worm’.
4. Measure the length of your ‘worm’ to the nearest quarter of an inch.
5. Describe your ‘worm’.
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6. Whatdo you think will happen when you add a drop of water to your ‘worm’?
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7. Useyour straw to place a drop of water on your ‘worm’. Observe what happens!
8. Measure your “Magic Worm” again to the nearest quarter of an inch.
9. Describe what happened to your “Magic Worm.”
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