Entomology Lesson Plans

Learners discover how coroners use insect life cycles to estimate the time of death in cases. they describe how forensic entomologists combine environmental factors with insect life cycles to note the changes. Students examine an actual murder case and how the evidence was gathered to estimate the time of death.

Fourth graders study and investigate why ladybugs are beneficial to our environment by using resources such as the entomology lab, the microscope, and the Internet. In addition, 4th graders study the life cycle of ladybugs and investigate the body parts of insects.

First graders use an internet site for demonstration. True Bugs is one of the categories at bugbios, which calls itself "an entomological database of very cool bugs." Although the text is advanced and will have to be paraphrased for children, excellent close-up images provide a rich resource for children to practice description.

Students read "Welcome to Cicadaville (Enter at Your Own Risk)" from The New York Times and discuss the cicada and its confusion with locust swarms. Students break into groups and research statements about animals that may be true or false to create a fact book entitled "Animal Fact or Fiction".

Learners read and discuss background information included with this instructional activity. They brainstorm the best sources for developing a list of native or migratory pollinators. Students work in groups to design habitats based on information garnered through research and interviews. They present their designs to the class and discuss pros and cons of their design. Learners build nesting boxes.

Students research different bugs and insects and write letters from bugs' and insects' points of view to humankind.

Students perform a series of investigations about insects. They examine live insects, explore insect-related websites, develop scientific journals and design educational brochures. They research the study of insects as a career.

Students create "Wanted" posters for destructive bugs. They practice research skills as they learn about the characteristics, diets, habitats, and habits of a variety of bugs.

Learners explore the different techniques used in forensic science. In this chemistry lesson, students investigate a fictional crime and identify the culprit. They create a brochure or collage career bulletin.

Students investigate shapes and discover what is similar and different about the shapes.  In this bug lesson, students relate the classification of the shapes to classification of bugs. Students answer classification questions about bugs.