How Fungi Break Down a Fallen Log, Read and Answer

Turn over a log or a scoop of garden soil with your child and look for worms, beetles and mushrooms. Talk about what each one is doing to the dead material, then read the pages.

Read how fungi threads and bacteria break down a fallen oak log and return its nutrients to the soil. A fungus is a living thing, such as a mushroom or a mold, that cannot make its own food. The directions on the page read: Read the passage. Then, turn the page and answer the questions. On page 2: Circle the letter of the best answer for questions 1 to 3, and write the answers to questions 4 to 6 on the lines. The answer key covers the questions on page 2.

Yes, both. We made it for 5th Grade ecosystems, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with decomposers. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.

A decomposer is a living thing, such as a fungus or bacteria, that breaks down dead plants and animals. It turns them into nutrients, which are materials living things need to grow.

Fungi grow long, thin threads through the wood and give off juices that break it into simpler materials they soak up as food. Bacteria work on the softer parts. Over many years the log turns crumbly and becomes soil.

Earthworms help the decomposers. They eat dead leaves and soil, grind the leaves into tiny pieces and leave castings rich in nutrients. Fungi and bacteria break those pieces down further, and the worms' tunnels let air and water reach roots.

Yes. All three decomposers sheets have an answer key, with sample answers for the questions children answer in their own words.

3 printable worksheets, all free to preview. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

These are written for 5th Grade students, roughly ages 10-11. Many teachers also use them a grade up for review or a grade down as an extension, so use the preview to judge the fit for a particular child.

Yes. Each one shows the NGSS code it covers on its own page, so you can check the alignment yourself rather than taking our word for it.