| INSECTS
COURSE MATRIX |
 |
SYNOPSIS |
SCIENCE
CONTENT |
THINKING
PROCESSES |
|
1. |
MEALWORMS
|
|
Each
student receives two larval mealworms in a vial to care for
and observe. Over 10 weeks students observe the larvae grow,
molt, pupate, and turn into beetles (adults), which mate, lay
eggs, and die. |
•
Insects need air, food, water, and space.
• Insects have characteristic structures and behaviors.
• The life cycle of the beetle is egg, larva, pupa, and
adult, which produces eggs. |
•
Observe mealworm larvae, pupae, and adults over time.
• Describe and record changes in mealworm structure and
behavior over time. |
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2. |
WAXWORMS |
|
Students
observe waxworms progress through their life cycle. They compare
the complete metamorphosis of the wax moth to that of the mealworm
beetle. |
•
Insects have similar structures and behaviors.
• Larvae produce silk. |
•
Observe waxworm larvae and compare them to mealworm larvae.
• Describe and record changes over time. |
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3. |
MILKWEED
BUGS |
|
Groups
of students receive vials of milkweed bug eggs. Each group prepares
a habitat for the bugs, providing air, space, food, and water.
They observe structure, pattern, and behavior as the insects
advance through simple metamorphosis. |
•
Insects hatch from eggs.
• Insects have three body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
• Insects have different structures for eating different
kinds of food.
• Some insects go through simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph,
adult). |
•
Observe the sequence of changes that bugs go through as they
mature into adults.
• Observe, describe, and communicate the structures, patterns,
and behaviors of insects. |
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4. |
SILKWORMS |
|
Students
observe the life history of one of the most commercially successful
insects. They start with eggs and observe the growth and changes
to larvae, pupae, and adults who produce eggs. Students study
the structure of a moth larva. |
•
Insect larvae have structures in common.
• Insect adults have structures in common.
• Male and female insects mate, and the female lays eggs.
• Moths pupate in silk cocoons. |
•
Observe and compare the structures of an insect larva and adult.
• Compare different insects’ structures and behaviors.
• Describe and record changes over time. |
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5. |
BUTTERFLIES |
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The
class observes the painted lady larvae grow, pupate, and emerge
as adults. Students experience the stages of complete metamorphosis
and compare the behaviors of moths and butterflies. |
•
Insect larvae and adults have structures in common.
• The life cycle of the butterfly is egg, larva, pupa,
and adult, which produces eggs. |
•
Observe structures and behavior of a butterfly.
• Compare the structures and behavior of the butterfly
to other insects.
• Describe and record changes over time. |
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6. |
OTHER
INSECTS |
|
The
class sets up habitats and observes the structures and behaviors
of house crickets, ants, and aquatic insects. |
•
Insects can live underground, above ground, and in water. |
•
Observe crickets, ants, and other insects in classroom habitats.
• Compare the structures and lifestyles of insects. |
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