Insect Study K-4

Insect Study
For Grades K-4

Areas of Study:
Entomology • Environment • Biology • Ecology

Correlated to National Science Education Content Standards

Grades	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
K-4
5-8
9-12

The ideas and activities included in this Lesson Plan are intended for use in classrooms where an appreciation for a better understanding of the environmental and earth sciences is the focus of the core curriculum. It is not intended to be a substitute for a comprehensive environmental and earth sciences curriculum, but rather, complement the learning experiences of children in the recommended targeted grades indicated.

Forestry Suppliers provides this information to qualified educators as a template, or guideline, for creating an interesting and enjoyable learning experience for the intended targeted age group. Please note the alignment with National Science Education and Math Standards where applicable.

If you would like to see us develop additional Lesson Plans in other areas of environmental and earth sciences, or if you would like to contribute your own ideas and receive credit in future issues, please contact us through the Education Section of our web site at www.forestry-suppliers.com or e-mail us at fsi@forestry-suppliers.com. We’re always happy to hear from you and we’ll do everything in our power to accommodate your requests.

K-4 Content Standards Covered

A	Science as inquiry • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry • Understanding about scientific inquiry
C	Life Science • Characteristics of organisms • Life cycles of organisms • Organisms and environments

Background

Bugs - some are rather beautiful with bright colors scattered across their bodies. Others are a little scary looking as they crawl through grass and leaves with the potential to pinch or sting. Specific insect types are needed by plants because these help carry out the pollination process. Without the help of these insects, some plant species could not survive. Some insects play a specific part in spreading pollen, and it is that insect alone that fulfills this role.

Insects are creatively equipped with protective coloration and shape. The color and shape can create a protective camouflaging effect or resemble the image of a predator. Some species emit a pungent odor that keeps predators away. Most birds will stay away from bugs that are red, black, or orange. Birds learn that these colors usually mean a bad taste. Some bugs even play “dead.” This provides a good self-defense mechanism since many predators will not eat an insect that won't move.

There are thousands of different insect species. Some crawl and some fly. Insects make their homes in aquatic and land environments. Insects can be found in very warm or cold places. Some bugs will eat the pages of a book or the remains of your lunch.

The basic anatomy of all insects consists of three body regions: head, thorax and abdomen. The head functions basically for food and sensory intake and processing of information. The thorax provides structural support for three pairs of legs and, if present, one to two pair of wings. The abdomen functions in digestion and reproduction.

We could not survive very well without the help of beneficial insects, and we sometimes find it difficult to live with the insects we consider “pests.” To really understand the important role insects play in our total environment, we must study their structure, behavior and environments. Begin your study by looking for bugs within your own environment and backyard.

Procedure

Select three outdoor collection sites, with one being an aquatic area such as a stream, lake or pond. Students should be supervised at all times.
Using an insect sweep net, collect insects present by sweeping the net across and through grasses and leaves. Looking under logs, on trees and shrubs, as well as in top layers of soil may result in the collection of several insect species.
Using an appropriate net, collect aquatic insects from the surface of the water source. Look at the water's edge as well.
Place collected insects in a collection container such as a jar or bottle with a resealable lid. The size of the collection container will depend on the number of insects expected to be collected.
Take care not to damage the insect's body when collecting insects and placing them in or removing them from the container. Entomological forceps will help protect insects.
Observe and identify the insect initially by viewing the insect with a magnifying lens. Then, view using a stereoscope microscope.
Make observations concerning the following characteristics:
        Presence of wings, if so one or two pair
        Abdomen with tails or without tails
        Shape of forewings
        Hind legs modified for jumping or not
Noting these characteristics will enable you to correctly classify the insect using a reference book or field guide.
If the insect is dead after a positive identification has been completed, dispose of it properly. If the insect is still living, release it in an appropriate manner. All collected insects should be handled with care.
In attempting to identify aquatic insects, remember that you may find various life cycle stages of insects in an aquatic environment. Carefully look for insect larvae as well as other stages of development.
Record observations concerning the various species found at all sites. If possible have students sketch drawings of insects, noting color, relative size and any specific behavior observed.
Students should also make observations concerning the differences in insect populations among the selected test sites.

Further Studies

Students can group insects into basic categories:
        Aquatic
        Land
        Winged
        Not winged
        Rigid body frame
        Soft body frame
Students can research the following topics:
        Life cycle of insects
        Body structure
        How insects breathe
        Typical life span
        Beneficial qualities
Students can obtain materials from the teacher and complete the following experiment:
1. Obtain mealworms and culture using different diet sources to analyze weight gain effects.
2. Follow culturing instructions and vary diet within appropriate nutritional needs of worms.
Divide into groups: a control group and at least three experimental groups.
3. Initially weigh each worm in each group. Record weights and repeat weighing every five days until worms begin to pupate.
4. Record observations, including behavior. Attempt to culture organisms until beetles emerge.
5. Release adult beetles in an appropriate manner. This experiment offers an excellent opportunity to observe the life cycle of an insect.

Rubric

Students should be able to describe the location and function of the main body parts of an insect.
Students should be able to identify insects as aquatic or land, and if not in adult form, identify the life cycle form.
Students should be able to categorize insects as beneficial or as pests.

Assessment

Teacher will quiz students on the role of insects within the food chain, aquatic or land.
Teacher will have students sketch the general body form of an insect.
Teacher will have students give summary of organisms found in the aquatic source as well as within the land sites.

If you have an idea or other suggestions for future lesson plans, we’d like to hear from you! Send an e-mail to fsi@forestry-suppliers.com.

Required Materials and Optional Items

The following items are required to complete all the activities in this lesson plan. All items are available from Forestry Suppliers, Inc.

Required Materials	Stock Number	Optional Items	Stock Number
Insect Net	53727	Aspirator	53758
Collecting Jar	53736	Killing Jar	53737
Folding Pocket Magnifier	61122	Riker Mount	53742
Nikon® 20x Field Microscope	61057	Pinning Block	53730
Entomological Forceps	53806	Insect Pins	53731
Student Water Sampler	77220	Spreading Board	53764
Selection of Collection Sites	*	LaMotte Leaf Pack Flash Cards	76609
Data Recording Sheet	*	Peterson Field Guide: Insects of North America	59850
		National Audubon Society Guide to Insects and Spiders	61304
		National Audubon Society Guide to Butterflies	61312
		Standard Insect Box	53800
		LaMotte Bug Kit™	76606
		LaMotte Leaf Pack Experiment Kit	76605
		Student Insect Collecting & Mounting Kit	53729

*Furnished by teacher or students

Forestry Suppliers’ Entomology F.I.E.L.D. Kit™
Fundamental Investigation of the Environment Leading to Discovery™

If interested in insect study for classroom activities, consider our Forestry Suppliers’ Entomology F.I.E.L.D. Kit™. Use the kit for this and many more related activities. See Further Studies section for a few ideas.

The Forestry Suppliers Entomology F.I.E.L.D. Kit™ is available exclusively from Forestry Suppliers and includes some of the items used in this lesson plan, as well as additional Lesson Plans, which will involve the use of other items. All kit items may also be purchased individually. Call our Sales Department at 1-800-647-5368 or visit us on the web at www.forestry-suppliers.com.

Forestry Suppliers’ Entomology F.I.E.L.D. Kit™ Contents
Stock Number 36846
Kit items may be purchased inividually.

Required For This Lesson Plan
Qty.	Description	K-4	5-8	9-12	Stock Number
6	Standard Insect Storage Boxes				53800
8	Pinning Blocks				53730
3	Entomological Forceps				53806
3	Killing Jars				53737
1	Box Insect Pins, Small				53731
1	Box Insect Pins, Medium				53733
1	Box Insect Pins, Large				53735
6	Folding Pocket Magnifiers				61122
1	Aspirator				53758
1	Spreading Board				53764
1	Insect Net				53727
1	National Audubon Society Guide to Insects and Spider				61304

Correlated standards reprinted with permission from National Science Education Standards. Copyright 1996 by the National Academy of Sciences.
Courtesy of the National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., www.nap.edu