Intel
Insects: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
What would the world be like with no insects? Ponder this question using a research-based STEM unit that encourages scholars to investigate insects from both a beneficial and hazardous perspective. They learn about insect behaviors,...
Curated OER
Field Guide to Schoolyard Insects and Their Relatives
Your entire class works together to create an illustrated insect field guide. The intent is that they venture outside of the classroom, find a critter, and then research it using reference materials, insect books, and the Internet for...
Curated OER
My Life As An Insect In Namib
Students examine the harsh living environment of the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a video, record the types of insects observed in the video, record information about insects and animal adaptations in their science journals, and...
Curated OER
Insects
Third graders research an insect and creates a brochure on that selected insect. Each student develops a Venn Diagram comparing similarities and differences between moths and butterflies.
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Staying Safe
Amaze the class with the creative adaptations species employ to trick predators. An online interactive lesson introduces learners to six different species with unique adaptations. Each species highlights a different adaptation and its...
Curated OER
Prairie Scales and Prairie Smoothies
Sixth graders explore the animals that live on the prairie and identify differences between amphibians and reptiles and the adaptations each have made to live on the prairie.
Curated OER
Bug's Eye View
Investigate the life of bugs and how they interact with the environment in this integrated science and language arts lesson. Young scientists construct mini environments in cages in order to make observations. This data forms the basis...
University of Kentucky
The Great Spider Debate
Poor, misunderstood spiders! They are feared, disrespected, and detested by many people, yet they do so many positive things. A great addition to any insect unit, learn about some of the more common spiders, while hopefully dispelling...
Teacher Printables
My Report Pack for. . .
Here is a handy guide for putting together a research report on birds, or on a selection of other topics (see the added materials.). Individuals are guided to think of three questions about their topic, they narrow down subtopics, use a...
Curated OER
Choose Your Defense: Spines, Vomit and Camouflage
Young scholars investigate defensive mechanisms of insects and organisms. In this biology lesson, students draw imaginary caterpillars as well as imaginary parasites that will harm the caterpillar. Young scholars utilize the Internet...
Curated OER
Crickets Guided Discovery
Sixth graders investigate insect anatomy by analyzing a live cricket. For this insect science lesson, 6th graders discuss their knowledge of insects and describe their characteristics from memory. Students observe live crickets in...
Curated OER
Plant Adaptations
Students identify parts of prairie plants. They sketch the plants indicating its adaptive parts and write brief descriptions of them. They present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Life Cycle of Butterfly
Second graders investigate life cycles of insects by writing a story. In this butterfly life lesson, 2nd graders create a checklist of the many steps a caterpillar takes before growing wings and flying. Students utilize creative...
Curated OER
Insects at Home
Fourth graders search their house and surrounding neighborhood for insects. They complete a chart that help students organize the name, physical description, location found, and any unique characteristics of the insect.
Curated OER
Mammals: Mammals and Their Ways
Students, in groups, observe, collect data, and analyze mammal behaviors.
Curated OER
Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Terrestrial Forests vs. Kelp Forests
Middle schoolers discuss concept and specificity of habitats, both marine and terrestrial, list similarities and differences in the habitats of a kelp forest and a terrestrial forest, compare types of organisms that occupy corresponding...
Curated OER
Evolution: Adaptation
Tenth graders practice new skills and apply them. The skills of research should motivate them to want more knowledge. The concept of adaptation is used as a context for the lesson of practicing research skills.
Curated OER
You Are Where You Live
Third graders observe insects in a number of habitats. They recognize which insect characteristics are adaptations to their habitats.
Curated OER
Mouthpart Madness
Students explore the basic biology of a pest. They identify the four major kinds of insect mouthparts and explain how they work. Students examine the specific mouthparts and how they can limit food resources and in what environment an...
Curated OER
Bug's Eye View
Students explore biology by writing fictitious stories in class. In this insect life instructional activity, students identify many different types of insects in the animal kingdom and the classifications they fall into. Students collect...
Curated OER
Pets: Oh Behave
They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Why is that? Discuss with your class why people like pets and the responsibilities with owning one. They read an article about pet behavior and write a short essay comparing one of their...
Curated OER
Learning About Animals' Bodies
Students research different animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds, fish) and create books, murals, dioramas, puppets, and sculptures to illustrate the necessity of various body parts for overall survival. In this animal...
Curated OER
Grasshopper Mark and Recapture (GMR)
Students estimate the density of a population of insects (grasshoppers) at a given life cycle stage in a given type of habitat.
Curated OER
America's Rain Forests Can It Be Real?
Students examine the attributes of unusual plants and animals before determining how they are adapted to specific habitat. They complete an associated worksheet. They make posters with information that they find during research sessions.