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William the Worm

Ages 3 and up (two 30-45 minute session)

rainy days sunny days Basic Observation Basic Gardening Exploration Insects
Children playing with William the World

Objectives:

(This activity can be used in conjunction with Sec 5.1 ∓ 5.4)

Materials:

Note: (If William is not to be left in the garden to use as a reference guide, He can be made by you and children on a large piece of paper and colored with crayons. Because of the need for a happy and sad side, maybe two worms can be made and places side by side. (William and Wanda worm)? Also, the pictures to attach wouldn’t need to be laminated and could be affixed with tape instead of thumb tacs).

Set up:

Prime both sides of the plywood with exterior primer. When it’s dry, free hand the shape of a large worm with pencil and cut the shape out with a jig saw. Prime the cut edges. Paint both sides of the worm. Make the face on one side with a smile, and the face on the other with a frown.

Find many pictures of beneficial garden insects and cut them out of magazines or scan them from books. Laminate them.

Make a stand for William to stay in throughout the summer in the garden.

Part One:

Follow the activity directions in Section 5.4 and learn all about worms.

Part Two:

Assemble the children, laminated pictures, and the reference books on a picnic table or blanket near William. Tell Williams story, by Dot Perkins: [William is a worm that lives in the garden. As we know, worms live mostly underground but sometimes come to the surface. They are good for our gardens. When William comes to the surface he sees many different insects. He was told never to speak to insects who weren’t friends of the garden but William wasn’t shown who was bad and who was good. How can he find out who he should be friendly with? He needs your help]! Allow the children to go through the laminated pictures and show them the happy face on one side of William and the sad face on the other side. Explain they will put the laminated pictures on one side or the other with the thumb tacs so William can use the picture to distinguish who is good and who is bad. Start going through the reference books and find the insects, talk about why each one is good or bad and discuss what we mean by “good” or “bad”. Have them all involved in the discovery and explanation of each insect. Have them take turns putting insects on William.

Part three:

Place William in the garden in a spot that is easily accessible so the children can use him as a reference when they find insects in the garden. Pass out the plastic bottles and go on a bug hunt. Have the children look up the insects they’ve found on William to see if it’s good or bad. Talk about control options and the benefits and disadvantages of each kind.

William the Worm

Questions: