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
Biology In Elementary Schools
Students classify animals into six major animal groups and describe the characteristics of the animals found within each group. In this living and non-living animals lesson, students observe a variety of animals, both living and...
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Yuckiest Site on the Internet
Students investigate the worm and the cockroach. In this organisms lesson, students visit suggested websites to identify the characteristics of worms and cockroaches. Students dissect a worm and observe a live cockroach. Students report...
Desert Discoveries
Amazing Arthropods
Arthropods are the stars of a fine science lesson. Learners look at the diversity, characteristics, adaptations, and important roles that these insects play in the Sonoran Desert environment. A terrific document called "Amazing...
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Plan, Do, Review...What's Bugging You?
Students explore insects through literacy, In this literacy lesson, students discover the characteristics of ladybugs and gain information from the text, "The Grouchy Ladybug". Students go on a "bug hunt".
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Bee and Wasp Identification
Students study the differences between honey bee, bumble bee, paper wasp, and yellow jackets. For this insect classification lesson, students study posters of various bees and wasps. Students read the story Holly Honey Bee Story....
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You Are Where You Live
Third graders observe insects in a number of habitats. They recognize which insect characteristics are adaptations to their habitats.
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Parasite Development and Life Cycle
If you are new to teaching agriculture classes, this outline may be helpful when you are preparing a lecture on parasites in livestock. In addition to lecturing on this topic, the lesson plan suggests that learners research the life...
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Catch as Catch Can
Students investigate insects. In this insect analysis lesson, students catch insects using nets they make. They identify the insects they catch and create a chart to show the numbers and varieties. This lesson includes a vocabulary list...
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Insects
Students, through books, videos, and readings, explore characteristics of insects. In groups, they choose an insect to research. Students discover their insect's diet, how they move, and where they live. Afterwards, they use the facts...
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Animals Galore
A well-designed lesson which covers the characteristics of the animals found in the six animal groups is here for your young biologists. In it, learners divide up into six groups; the amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, fish, and...
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Unidentified (Flying?) Arthropods
Beginning biologists learn the characteristics of the five classes in the arthropod phylum. A student handout lists characteristics to help them identify five specimens. You will need to collect an example of each: arachnida, crustacea,...
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Moth or Butterfly
Students categorize butterflies and moths by identifying the unique characteristics of the two different species. In this classifying instructional activity, students discuss their prior knowledge about these insects before...
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Habitat Assessment
Third graders demonstrate the effects of varying environmental components on plants and animals: chemical, physical and biological characteristics of a habitat. They find chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the lake at...
ARKive
Marvellous Mini-beasts – Design a Species
Here is a creative activity that teaches kids how species evolve different characteristics for survival. The lesson begins as the class discusses and examines the adaptive traits of mini-beasts or insects. Then, in small groups, they...
Curated OER
Exploration of "Pillbugs"
Fifth graders define vocabulary terms, identify the characteristics of a pillbug, and create a dichotomous key. Then they examine the pillbugs and make observations and record these observations. Finally, 5th graders observe specific...
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Termite Biology
Students explore the physical characteristics, distribution and habitat of termites. The lesson focuses on the termite as a social creature contrary to most other insects.
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Here a Bug, There a Bug
Students explore insects and discover that insects found in different parts of the country have characteristics that can be observed and described.
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Clearly Classified
Learners investigate plants and insects. In this science classification lesson, students create separate categories for insects and plants by characteristics. Learners discover scientific names of insects.
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"What Insecit Am I"
Young scholars play the game "What Insect Am I" to explore the parts of an insect and their habitats.
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Are You One of Us?
Students investigate how scientists sort and classify organisms. In this sorting and classifying lesson, students examine what systematics are as tools that scientists use. They examine images of invertebrates and sort them while stating...
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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.
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Creepy Crawlers
Students identify the characteristics of an insect and their habitat. They read books about insects, research different types of insects, and create their own insect art. The project also includes the creation of an insect song and...
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Bug's Eye View
Learners explore biology by writing fictitious stories in class. In this insect life lesson, students identify many different types of insects in the animal kingdom and the classifications they fall into. Learners collect insects on a...