Curated OER
Web of Life - Role-Playing
Students role-play how organisms adapt to their environment. They play 20 questions with plant and animal habitats. They create a web of life to demonstrate how each plant and animal relies on the other for survival.
Curated OER
Trout Cookies
Students explore the external anatomy of a fish. In this anatomy and adaptations lesson, students look at an image of a trout and identify its various external features including fins, eyes, spots, parr marks and lateral line. Students...
John Lentine
Butterflies and Bugs
Symmetry, line, shape, art, and math are all connected through a fun hands-on craft. Included are instructions to a classic activity, where learners create butterflies to show symmetry in nature and then discuss symmetry in math. It is...
Curated OER
Aquatic Insects: Water Quality Index & Diversity Index
Students search stream beds to study the life cycle and adaptations of stream insects. They explore creeks and streams to see the diversity index of creeks or streams and to find the water qualit index.
Curated OER
What Kind of Insect is That?
Fifth graders characterize insects and classify insects according to the Linnaean system. They use hand lenses or microscopes to examine insect body parts.
Curated OER
Introduction to Adult Insects and Their Adaptations
Learners study organisms found in Class Insecta. They examine the different adaptations these organisms have developed over time to survive and prosper in their respective habitats. They research the origin of the names of several orders...
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...
Curated OER
A Day in the life of...
Students read about and study insects--their distinguishing characteristics, habitats, camouflage methods, defense mechanisms, etc. They draw pictures and write a story from the viewpoint of an insect and share their pictures and stories...
Curated OER
Choose Your Defense: Spines, Vomit and Camouflage
Students investigate defensive mechanisms of insects and organisms. For this biology lesson, students draw imaginary caterpillars as well as imaginary parasites that will harm the caterpillar. Students utilize the Internet to discover...
Curated OER
Feeding Frenzy
Learners examine, through experimentation and simulation, how insect mouthparts are adapted for particular food sources, discuss how various animals have adapted to survive, play Feeding Frenzy game, and complete activity sheets.
Curated OER
Totally Termites
Students explore the world of termites, their adaptations, and anatomy. They examine the property risks of termites and how pest control professionals manage termite problems.
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
Scales, Scutes, and Skins
Young scholars identify the various adaptations of reptiles and amphibians. After distinguishing between reptiles and amphibians, students discuss the ways in which their adaptations aid in their survival. They participate in a hands on...
Curated OER
What Stages Do Insects Go Through?
Fourth graders observe mealworms over a period of time and record any changes they observe. They record any changes in color, length, behavior, and any other noticeable changes, identify the stages of the mealworms, and create a chart...
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
Insect Collection
Students investigate about various biological aspects of life, while examining desert insect species. They see the diverse range of species that live in the desert, despite the apparent lack of life in the desert. students tocomprehend...
Curated OER
Insect Biology and Ecology: A Primer
Learners explore insects and closely related organisms. They examine the growth and development of a lady beetle. Students classify insects and organize them. They investigate pest management.
Curated OER
Insect Biodiversity
Learners observe the process of transect sampling using insect nets, to get a chance to compare the presence of different species and populations in various vegetational areas. They study the different specimens caught and compare their...
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
Insects A-Z!
Students use the Internet and other resources to find insect common names that begin with each letter of the alphabet. They write a brief description of each insect, focusing on what the insect eats and where the insect lives.
Curated OER
The Spider Beside Her
Second graders are introduced to the characteristics of spiders. In groups, they compare and contrast spiders to different insects to discover spiders are not an insect at all. In groups, they create a model of a spider and discuss its...
Curated OER
Camouflage: A Study of Stealth and Survival
Young scholars study insect camouflage. In this organisms lesson, students design and create their own 3D insect models to blend into a habitat. Young scholars write a paragraph about the camouflage their insect has and explain how their...
Curated OER
What's Bugging You?
Second graders investigate insects. In this parts of a whole, 2nd graders discuss what the three body parts of an insect are as well as the antenna. Students create their own insect labeling each body part and antenna.