Get to Know Insects
Activity - Outdoors
Grades1-8Science
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Provided by Learning for a Sustainable Future
What it is
- In this outdoor activity, students search for live insects in several different locations, then draw them and describe their movement and behavior on an observation worksheet.
- An accompanying backgrounder describes the characteristics of insects along with other arthropods such as spiders and crustaceans.
- Students learn that insects perform important jobs in nature, including breaking down plant and animal remains, pollinating flowers, providing food for animals, and helping control other insect populations.
Teaching tips
Materials:
- Each student group (2-3 students) will need:
- Insect observation worksheet
- Plastic spoon
- 2 plastic cups (Petri dishes, lidded plastic containers, sample bottles, etc.)
- Magnifier box or hand lens
Classroom Implementation:
- Work through the backgrounder first so students can recognize basic insect anatomy and tell insects apart from other arthropods before heading outside.
- Remind students to handle insects gently and release them where they were found, and to leave alone any insect they cannot confirm is harmless, since some sting or bite.
- Debrief by comparing which location had the most insects and which organisms were not insects, and extend the activity with a classroom pond, a visit from a beekeeper, or close-up insect photography.
Related Resources:
- Use this unit plan to dive deeper into how insects and decomposers work to produce the food we eat.
- Extend beyond insects with this activity that surveys tree health, including tree stress from lack of water, extreme temperatures, and insect outbreaks and disease.
From the scientist review
This lesson discusses insects and arthropods. Students will learn what they are, where they live, and how they are part of our environment. Students will also learn and practice basic science skills by observing and recording information about insects around their school. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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