Curated OER
Insects
Third graders research an insect and creates a brochure on that selected insect. Each student develops a Venn Diagram comparing similarities and differences between moths and butterflies.
Curated OER
Insect Camouflage
Students investigate insect camouflage and mimicry. In this animal science lesson, students discuss how camouflage helps an insect survive. Additionally, students use the included template to color and cut illustrations of insects....
Curated OER
A Bug's Life: Diary of an Insect's Metamorphosis
Fifth graders examine the stages of insect's to understand heredity. In this inherited traits instructional activity, 5th graders explore the life of the honeybee for its inherited traits. Students recognize the difference between...
Cornell University
Field Day: Be an IPM Detective
Become a pest detective! Individually or in small groups, scholars scout the land to discover which pests—plant and animal—inhabit it, determine whether the pests are endangering the environment, and summarize their findings.
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
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...
Curated OER
Diversity in Insects
Second graders examine bug photos from across the world. In this biodiversity lesson, students use a field notebook to make observation of insect photos. The class gather on the floor to investigate a mock field of insects and share...
Curated OER
The Insect Files
Students are provided with a physical description of the insect, in words and graphics, including body parts, special adaptations, color, and so on. They explore and report on all four elements of an insect's habitat: food, water,...
Curated OER
Insect or Spider?
Students compare and contrast the difference between insects and spiders. After a brief class discussion, students complete an activity matching the body parts of an insect and the body parts of a spider. Worksheet with answer key is...
Curated OER
Skeeterville
Students explore insect life by participating in a role-playing activity. In this mosquito life lesson, students listen to a role-play scenario in which they must protect a town from mosquitoes by creating a field guide about the insect....
Curated OER
Feeding Frenzy
Young biologists take a look at the myriad of ways that animals increase their chances of surviving in the wild. The adaptations help animals hide, hunt, and attract a mate. This lesson specifically explores how insect mouth parts are...
Curated OER
Survival Strategies and Adaptation in Insects
Third graders investigate insects and their adaptations that help them survive. For this survival strategies lesson, 3rd graders view photographs of insects and discuss the adaptations that each one uses to survive, including camouflage...
Curated OER
Graphing Aquatic Insects
Students identify aquatic insects. In this organism lesson, students locate aquatic insects near a local waterway and collect them. Students graph the amount of insects that they collected.
Curated OER
If the Forests Could TAlk
Third graders research insects using the internet sites provided. They research the role of insects as pollinators for plants, and the impact they have on our ecosystem. They participate in various activities/centers utilizing the facts...
Curated OER
Bug's Eye View
Investigate the life of bugs and how they interact with the environment in this integrated science and language arts lesson. Young scientists construct mini environments in cages in order to make observations. This data forms the basis...
Curated OER
Endangered Species in the Sonoran Desert
Students identify and explain some caused of endangerment and extinction for species as well as explain the effects of extinction on an ecosystem. Teachers use this lesson plan before teaching students about collecting insects or plants.
University of Kentucky
Beneficial Bug Scavenger Hunt
Many people think of bugs as annoying pests to be squashed, but most insects and spiders are beneficial, eating the actual pests or pollinating plants. After reviewing some of the common bugs in your area (they may differ from those...
Rainforest Alliance
Colombia Biodiversity
How diverse is the rainforest? How much more diverse is a rain forest than a temperate forest? Explore these focus questions in a lesson that explores the plants, animals, and insects in forests. After listening to a reading about...
Curated OER
The Parts of an Insect
Young scholars examine various insects. They discuss the parts of an insect and the environments in which they live. Students explore the importance of insects to our environment. They draw an interpretation of their insect and label its...
Curated OER
Insect Food Chain & Camouflage
Students use art work to demonstrate their understanding of the insect food chain and their ability to camouflage themselves. In this insect food chain and camouflage lesson, students determine what type of animals feed on insects. They...
Curated OER
Interesting Insects
Students discover the characteristics of insects. They explore insects through cooperative learning, group projects, hands on activities, and poetry. They gain knowledge of insect life cycles, habitat, and physical characteristics.
Curated OER
The World of Insects and Spiders
Young scholars identify numerous insects and their body parts. For this insect life lesson, students practice using scientific vocabulary while comparing the different parts of spiders and insects. Young scholars view several videos...
Curated OER
The Risk-Benefit Factor Challenging Our Environment
Seventh graders examine the factors that are contributing to the degrading of the Earth's environment. In groups, they analyze the types of hazards when dealing with pests and give an example of each. For each situation given, they...
Curated OER
Ant Farm
Students explore the value of insects in the natural world. For this insect lesson, students examine species of insects, collect and record data, and analyze the data.