Nature’s Recyclers

Have you ever heard of sow bugs and pill bugs? Did you know that they are not “bugs” at all but are more closely related to crabs and lobsters? Sow bugs (Oniscus asellus) and pill bugs (Armadillidium vulgare) are crustaceans that feed on dead plant material and “recycle” those materials back into the soil. They are usually found under rocks, logs or under leaf litter. Earthworms and other soil organisms also help recycle plants and other biodegradable organic wastes. Use Project Learning Tree’s “Nature’s Recyclers” to explore the fascinating world of decomposers!

Young Child Extension
Set up a container with sow bugs, pill bugs or earthworms and watch these fascinating decomposers in action! Make feeding them a part of every day. You can feed them your leftovers from snack time. Study which snacks they enjoy the best. Make charts and observations.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Brendler, C., and A. Hoyt. 2009. Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer. Farrar, Strau and Giroux.
Burnett, R. 1992. The Pillbug Project: A Guide to Investigation. National Science Teachers Association.
Chandler, C. 2008. Ralphina, the Roly-Poly. Leathers Publishing.
Coleman, G. and T. Gibbons. 1997. Worms. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
French, V., and J. Ahlberg. 2010. Yucky Worms. Candlewick Press.
Himmelman, J. 2001. An Earthworm’s Life. Children’s Press.
Himmelman, J. 2000. A Pill Bug’s Life. Children’s Press.
Hughes, M. 2003. Pill Bugs. Heinemann-Raintree.
Pyers, G. 2005. Pill Bugs Up Close. Heinemann-Raintree.
Smith, M. 2009. Roly-Poly Pillbugs. Bearport Publishing.
St. Pierre, S. 2008. Pillbug. Heinemann-Raintree.
Tokunda, Y., and K. Takahasi. 2006. I’m a Pill Bug. Kane Miller Book Publishers.

Grades 3-5
Burnett, R. 1992. The Pillbug Project: A Guide to Investigation. National Science Teachers Association.
Coleman, G. and T. Gibbons. 1997. Worms. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Chandler, C. 2008. Ralphina, the Roly-Poly. Leathers Publishing.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Himmelman, J. 2001. An Earthworm’s Life. Children’s Press.
Himmelman, J. 2000. A Pill Bug’s Life. Children’s Press.
Hughes, M. 2003. Pill Bugs. Heinemann-Raintree.
Pascoe, E. 2001. Pill Bugs & Sow Bugs and Other Crustaceans. Blackbirch Press.
Pyers, G. 2005. Pill Bugs Up Close. Heinemann-Raintree.
Smith, M. 2009. Roly-Poly Pillbugs. Bearport Publishing.
St. Pierre, S. 2008. Pillbug. Heinemann-Raintree.
Tokunda, Y., and K. Takahasi. 2006. I’m a Pill Bug. Kane Miller Book Publishers.

Grades 6-8
Pascoe, E. 2001. Pill Bugs & Sow Bugs and Other Crustaceans. Blackbirch Press.
Rustad, M. E. H. 2009. Pillbugs. Pebble Books.
Schaffer, D. 2000. Pillbugs. Coughlan Publishing.

Links
Sowbugs
http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/sow-bugs.html

Pillbugs
http://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Pillbu1.htm

Pillbug Printout
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/isopod/Pillbugprintout.shtml

Pillbugs and Sowbugs
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig093

How to Make a Habitat for a Roly Poly
http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/how-to-make-a-habitat-for-a-rolly-poly/91e96b2b-0c15-4097-8602-5f5f055eec5b

What is the Gray Bug Found Under Bricks & Dirt?
http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/what-is-the-gray-bug-found-under-bricks--dirt/a2027a66-e969-af70-c9ed-382588d7641b

Fun With Roly Poly Bugs
http://www.squidoo.com/pillbugs