Cornell University
Wasps and Ladybugs
Can a good bug ever become a bad bug? An elementary entomology resource explores what to do when too many ladybugs or too many bees are in your home and can become a problem.
Cornell University
Metamorphosis
Looking for an insect unit that addresses multiple skill strategies? Young entomologists explore multiple life cycles of insects that go through metamorphosis. The brainteasers and mobile activity spark learner interest before guiding...
Cornell University
Let’s Raise Lacewings
Young entomologists explored beneficial insects and how they help control pests in the first lesson of the series. Now class members take a close look at the lacewing, which is a beneficial insect.
Cornell University
Beneficial Insects
A lot of people think of insects as pests. But actually, some insects are beneficial because they get rid of pests! After learning about beneficial insects, class members research given insects to find out if they are pests or predators.
K5 Learning
The Bee
See what all the buzz is about with a reading comprehension activity! Third and fourth graders read a short informational passage about bees before answering four questions about what they have learned.
Scholastic
Minibeasts
Lead young scientists to discover insects outdoors. After investigating, students will record observations, learn about these fascinating creatures, craft, and role play.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Zombie Ants
One of the creepiest and coolest natural occurrences is a great forum for data analysis and discussion! Explore the phenomenon of zombie ants, or ants infected with the Cordyceps fungus, with a series of activities and experiments. Kids...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section One: What is Biodiversity?
Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...
The Science Spot
Flower Basics
Learn about plants and pollination with a worksheet about the parts of a flower. After labeling the anatomy of a flower using a word bank, kids explain the difference between self-pollination and cross-pollination, and unscramble the...
Twisty Noodle
My Bug Book
Practice colors and bugs with a cute mini-book. Kids follow the instructions on each page to color different bugs the correct color, and then fill in the blank to describe their own bug.
PreKinders
Color Bugs
Bugs are creepy, crawly, and beautiful! Explore the world of colorful bugs with a presentation about bugs that are different colors. With red ladybugs, yellow caterpillars, and purple dragonflies, the presentation is sure to delight and...
Teacher Printables
My Flip Book About . . .
Print these as two-sided handouts from which elementary entomologists can make a flip-style book about beetles (or a variety of other animals that are available as well). They research the habitat, food, and other interesting information...
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
Animal Diaries
Launch this lesson with Doreen Cronin's Diary of a Worm! Discuss the format and content of a diary, and ask learners if they've ever kept a diary before. Then, after an introductory discussion, have learners choose an insect or another...
Curated OER
Insect or Arachnid?
Students compare and contrast the characteristics of insects and arachnids through research, observation, and discussion. They write accurate statements describing insect and arachnid life cycles and anatomies. Afterward, they listen as...
Curated OER
Learning to Resist: Watercolor
Consider wax resist drawings as a way to bridge art and science. Learners view, discuss, and practice drawing insects or animals using waxy crayons. They pay attention to the creature's features as they create images with watercolor and...
Curated OER
What Category do I Best Fit Into?
Use this pre-reading exercise to help learners sort familiar objects into categories. For each of these three sets, they draw a line from the object to the category in which it belongs. There are two categories for each set. If scholars...
Michigan State University
May I Take Your Order?
If you're a pest, come and get a tasty meal here! Scholars work collaboratively to construct a mini restaurant out of a shoe box and create a menu that feeds a pest their favorite food.
Michigan State University
Inspecting The School
Keep your eyes peeled for pests! Here, scholars inspect their campus for signs of living things such as insects and rodents. Upon observation, class members record their findings and present the information to their peers.
Michigan State University
Wanted Dead or Alive
Wanted! Pests are on the loose! Here, class members create a wanted poster highlighting one pest. Posters includes a picture, description, and signs of pest activity.
Curated OER
Entomology
Beginning with some general trivia about insects, this presentation is geared toward agricultural concerns. It covers binomial nomenclature and then examines six insect orders. Insect anatomy and life cycles are featured. The final two...
Curated OER
Animals Around the World
Students study different kinds of animals and what group they belong to. In this animal classification lesson students view different animals and sort them by what group they belong to, for example a snake is in the reptile group.
Curated OER
Go Bug!
Second graders explore the lives of insects by participating in a card game. In this metamorphosis lesson plan, 2nd graders define several scientific vocabulary terms associated with insects and identify the different life cycles...
Curated OER
Invent an Insect
Explore biology by researching adaptation. First, learners research and define a list of insect vocabulary terms and discuss the benefits of each insect characteristic. They then utilize a worksheet to create their own insect and share...