Objective: To find out what students already know or think they know about insects.

Introduction: Brainstorm with students by asking these questions: 
Who knows what an insect is?  Where did you see one?  What did it look like?  How many legs did it have? How did it move?  
As the students call out ideas record them on the chalkboard or make a chart to display in the class.
Sample responses might include: They have six legs, or some eight; some have wings, some have antennae, some live in water, some live in trees.
The next step is to ask the students what they would like to learn about insects.  Make a list of questions to research in books, locate information at the The Wonderful World of Insects, Ask an Expert, or in films.

Materials:  Notebook paper, pencils, books about insects, Internet sites, encyclopedias, films

Vocabulary: head, thorax, abdomen, insect

Procedure:   
1. Students select one insect to research.

2. Students create a fact file about the insect.  Facts to include: Color of insect, what it eats, where it lives, body parts, number of legs, how it moves.

3. If you wish to download a student task card, you can become a member of a free site by joining the LearningPage.com. 

4. Publish fact files using desktop publishing such as The Student Writing Center, ClarisWorks/AppleWorks or Microsoft Word and place copy in Insect Portfolio.

5.Visit the Insect Project Web site and read various reports made by students about insects in their area.

6. Students use their fact file to write an insect report.

7. Students send report to Insect Project Web site; they can use their own format or online format.
 
Home Learning: Draw an imaginary insect based on your research findings.

Field Trip:  Visit a local garden center or butterfly center to learn more about  insects or invite an entomologist to the classroom.

Evaluation:  Create an insect habitat.  Include a model of your insect in your habitat.

Extension:   Insect Newsletter 

• Organize students into small groups, with each student having a job: reporter, typist, graphics, layout, editor and publisher
• Tell students that newsletters have different parts: masthead, headlines, stories, illustrations and captions, names of staff and subscription form
• Have students design their masthead; decide on the name of the newsletter
• Use various fonts, styles, sizes and colors for effect
• Have reporters write stories using who, what, why, where and when
• Create a headline
• Collect pictures; a digital camera can be used
• Type text, insert graphics
• Proofread
• Edit
• Publish
• Send a copy home to parents
• Stories can be posted on class Web site
   
  
  

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