Science, Life Science

Grade 1- 3

Objective

In this lesson the children will capture and examine various insects, discuss them, read about them, write about them, and, using draw software, print out their scientific and artistic interpretations of them. Learning about the importance of insects to our environment will also help them understand why they should treat them with respect and release them when through with their research.

Directions

Into: Before the Computer
Tell the children they are going to study live insects, and they need to bring one from home. They need to put it in a jar with one little hole punched in the lid. Or, you can take them out on the school grounds with jars and nets if you'd like. They should not attempt to bring in bees or wasps, since they can sting. Tell them they should not bring in spiders because they are not insects; they may already know this if the class has previously studied animal classification.
Using the research materials, they can attempt to identify their insects. Have each child draw his/her interpretation of his/her insect, labeling its parts.
Through: On the Computer
The children draw their interpretations of their insects on the computer, label the parts, and print their drawings. If appropriate, they can write sentences or paragraphs explaining the uses of the insect's parts.
Beyond: Extra Activities
The children also draw the habitats where they found their insects. Display their pictures on a bulletin board where other classes can see them. Staple the pictures together, design and laminate a cover, and assemble into an Insect Book. Repeat this activity with the other animal classifications. (Do not use live animal models for all; obviously, pictures will have to suffice for most.) Allow each child to create his/her own book of Animal Parts.

Resources

• reference books and library books about insects
• pictures and posters showing various insects
• live insects brought in by students or live insects caught on school grounds
• drawing paper and markers/crayons
• example completed project (see the link below)
• drawing software program