Name three things that decomposers break down.

Waste, dead plants, and dead animals

Why are decomposers important for plants?

Decomposers break down waste into nutrients that plants use to make energy.

A food chain shows how energy flows from one living thing to another in an ecosystem.

Grade 3rd Grade · Science · 45 min

I can describe how insects and bugs help the environment.

Crash Course Kids · 3:19

The Dirt on Decomposers: Crash Course Kids #7.2

3 key concepts

1
Decomposers like bacteria, fungi, insects, and worms break down waste and dead things to get energy.
2
Decomposers break down waste into smaller parts, like nutrients and chemicals, which plants use to make more energy.
3
Decomposers help keep waste from piling up in an ecosystem and put energy back into the food chain.

11 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer

Quick comprehension check

“Name two ways that insects and bugs help the environment, based on what you learned.”

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