Identifying Decomposers

Part of the "Rotting Away" Collection

Goal

Students will learn how to identify decomposers.

Estimated Time

45 Minutes

Setting Required

Inside or Outside

Standards

  • S2L1b. Students will relate seasonal changes to observations of how a tree changes throughout a school year.
  • S2L1d. Students will identify fungi as living organisms.
  • S2E3a. Students will recognize the effects that occur in a specific area caused by weather, plants, animals, and/or people.

Materials

Procedures

Read back through A Log’s Life, this time searching for examples of the fungus, bacteria, and invertebrates that aid in decomposition.

Fungus

Toadstools
Mildew
Molds
Mushroom

Bacteria
(Explain to students that bacteria is microscopic and can not be seen and was not mentioned in the text, but an important worker in the process of decomposition)

Invertebrates

Beetles
Slugs
Snails
Ants
Spiders
Millipedes
Termites
Pill Bugs
Earthworms