What a great way to present this topic! While a little difficult to follow, this instructional activity provides great ideas for a second grade instructional activity involving butterfly lifecycles. Learners make drawings of butterflies,...

Students consider the concept that plants and animals are dependent on one another and role-play the interaction between bees and flowers. They identify crops that are dependent on pollination by bees.

First graders explore characteristics of ladybugs. They view ladybugs in ventilated containers and discuss their observations. Students read a story about ladybugs and create a glue picture of a ladybug.

In this vocabulary test worksheet, 2nd graders read the words and select the meaning from the options. Students complete 8 vocabulary sentences.

Everyone wants to feel like they belong. James, in James and the Giant Peach, finds a feeling of belonging in a very odd place—inside a peach! Scholars read the story of James and the Peach and work through vocabulary, language, and...

Sometimes science is puzzling. Using an online animation, individuals manipulate skeletal bones of an ancient species to recreate its skeleton. Learners complete the skeletal puzzle and learn about the process of paleontology in person...

Students engage in a lesson plan to find out more information about insects. They collect and observe different insects found on school property. They research the insects once they have been classified. Also a video is used to create a...

Students identify insects living in rotting logs. In this decomposition lesson plan, students observe pieces of a rotting log, they look at the insects that have inhabited the log and create a chart that shows their findings.

Students make predictions about a photograph of a humongous spider web, then read a news article about thousands of spiders that worked together to build it. In this biology and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article...

Students explore hydrology concepts. In this environment and biology lesson, students identify and describe macroinvertebrates using a variety of pictures and resources. Students observe and write about a classroom aquarium in which...

Students identify and describe the elements of art and principles of design by creating several different butterfly pictures that represent color, shape, texture, pattern or symmetry.

Second graders create their own science textbooks. They work in small, cooperative science teams to plan and create their textbooks. In addition, they photograph their group work, projects, materials and specimens, and other images.

Students explore insects' use of pheromones and beneficial insects versus insect pests.

Students review information on a website which shows different types of spiders. They sort images of spiders from other insects. They create their own spider out of materials and share them with their classmates.

Second graders expand their knowledge of spiders. By creating a model of a spider, 2nd graders recognize differences between spiders and insects and determine that a spider is not an insect.

Young scholars identify insect (and plant) specimens using the online resource Biokeys. They record the data that they collect in their notebooks. Students use identification characteristics and features that are shared and unique...

High schoolers identify the differences in the water quality of a stream and complete water testing.  In this water quality instructional activity students collect aquatic insects and identify them. 

Young scholars explore pond ecosystems.  In this pond organism activity, students will use pond water and a plastic bad in order to locate and identify freshwater organisms.  The activity is designed for younger grades,...

First graders create a small usable shelter for a small animal or an insect. In this shelter lesson plan, 1st graders use popsicle sticks, tree twigs, bottles, and more to build a shelter in groups.

Students cover the topics of primary and secondary succession with interest to its ties in the study of ecosystems. They study how the introduction of an insect can effect the ecological balance. Students make predictions and write them...

Students investigate living organisms and define the properties of a living species.  For this life characteristic lesson, students examine plants in their class and discuss whether or not they are alive.  Students create a...

High schoolers conduct simple sampling of plant and insect biodiversity at ground level in two contrasting environments of their own choosing. They recognize and record different species then compare and contrast species numbers in the...

Ninth graders research the work of Carlos J. Finlay and his contributions to science. Once they have discussed his theories about diseases, they create tables comparing diseases that use insects as carriers. The lesson also includes a...

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...