Core Knowledge Foundation
Insects Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthology
A read-aloud anthology explores the world of bees, wasps, beetles, termites, ants, fireflies, and more. Scholars listen to stories and discuss topics and practice word work. Extension opportunities keep the learning going in and out of...
University of Florida
Unhealthy Forests and the News
Everyone knows a tree makes a sound when it falls, but what do we know about dying trees? Class members learn background information about Laurel wilt disease from a teacher-led presentation. Team members work with partners to read and...
Reed Novel Studies
A Taste of Blackberries: Novel Study
Blackberry pie, blackberry cobbler ... what other recipes use blackberries? Scholars hunt for an interesting blackberry recipe to copy and share with friends after using the novel study for A Taste of Blackberries by Doris Buchanan...
Curated OER
Nature's Perfect Recycler
What a great way to start a recycling lesson! Introduce your students to the dung beetle! They will get a kick out of "nature's perfect recycler," when they learn about the scarab beetle's way of life: eating dung and rotting...
Curated OER
How Do We Know These Beetles Are Safe to Use?
Students evaluate the impact beetles have on plants. In groups, they select plants to expose to leaf-feeding beetles and place those beetles on the caged plants. They observe the beetles and discuss the insect and plant interaction...
Curated OER
Beetle Rearing
Students investigate plants and the effects beetles have on the plants. In small groups, they collect plants and observe the beetles as they interact with the plants. They record the conditions including temperature, cloudiness, length...
Curated OER
Beetle Collection and Release
Students investigate plants and compare them to the purple loose strife. As they observe the plants they predict possible impacts on plant populations based on their observations. They work in groups and present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Survival of the Fittest -- Battling Beetles
Students experiment with traits. In this Science lesson, students test the strength of beetles using M&M candies in lieu of the insects. Students use the Hardy-Weinberg Equation to calculate possible offspring traits of further...
Curated OER
A Symphony of Decomposers
Students discover decomposition. In this environmental lesson, students explore different types of decomposers and their role within the ecosystem. Students also discover how waste interferes with the decomposition process.
Curated OER
Reading "Beetles, Bees and Butterflys"
Reading information about beetles, bees, and butterflies is the focus of this science activity. Students apply vocabulary and comprehension skills in order to answer six questions based on the reading.
Curated OER
We Are All In This Together
Third graders observe four different arthropods.Students find, observe, discuss and record similarities and differences among and between insects and people. They appreciate diversity in and recognize unity of all people.
Curated OER
Beetle: Print and Color
In this word recognition activity, students trace the word "beetle," write the word independently, and color the picture of the beetle.
Curated OER
Ladybug Identification
In this ladybug pattern identification worksheet, learners count and record the number of spots on the elytra of 13 ladybug species.
Curated OER
I've Got You Under My Skin
Learners examine bark beetle galleries, discuss interdependence between insects, trees, and people, and research to determine causes of other tree damage.
Curated OER
Ladybugs
In this ladybug life style worksheet, students match 7 body parts to a diagram of a ladybug and draw the 4 different stages of a ladybug's life cycle.
Curated OER
Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife
Students examine the role of Purple Loosestrife in Illinois and Indiana rivers. In groups, they collect a wide variety of plants in a wetland and raise beetles in a controlled environment. They introduce the loosestrife into the...
Curated OER
Animal Activities: Teacher's Pets
Students watch meal worms turn into beetles in the classroom.