Students learn how decomposers such as fungi, bacteria and earthworms break down dead plants and animals, how this returns nutrients to the soil for new plants, what conditions help decay happen faster, and how a compost bin uses decomposers.
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Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.
Completed: Decomposers: Nature's Recyclers
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4th Grade students (typically ages 9–10) working on ecosystems & food chains. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.
Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.
About 30 minutes for 16 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.
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Success TutoringWorksheets4th Grade · Science · Ecosystems & Food ChainsName
Date
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Use the words decomposer, decay, nutrients and recycle.
Read the passage. Then circle the best answer.
When plants and animals die, they do not stay around for ever. They are broken down by decomposers. Breaking down is called decay or decomposition.
The main decomposers are fungi (such as mushrooms and mold) and bacteria (living things too small to see). Animals such as earthworms, beetles and millipedes help by eating dead material and breaking it into smaller pieces.
As decomposers feed, they release nutrients from the dead material back into the soil. Plants take in these nutrients through their roots and use them to grow. Then animals eat the plants. This is how nutrients are recycled in an ecosystem.
Decomposers work fastest when it is warm and damp and there is some air. Cold, dry conditions slow decay down — that is one reason we keep food in the fridge.
Write True or False.
Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.
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Worksheet · 5th Grade · Ecosystems & Food Chains · Level 2 · Standard
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