NAME: Martha Bush

SCHOOL: Shalimar Elementary School 

THEME: ENTERTAINING INSECTS AND SPUNKY SPIDERS

GRADE: THIRD 

SUBJECT: SCIENCE/Math/Language Arts 

LENGTH OF UNIT: SIX WEEKS 

BROAD GOALS: 

The lesson is designed as an integrated learning experience, which incorporates technology with other multimedia as a means for the students to have a basic understanding of the names, kinds, sizes, and some basic characteristics of insects and spiders. 

LEARNER OUTCOME:

The students will be able to:

Learn some basic facts about insects and spiders.

Identify the similarities and differences between insects and spiders.

Use Venn diagrams to organize information.

Use tables, graphs, and charts to display information.

Identify some insects that are flying, social, and harmful to people.

Compare and contrast insects and spiders according  the characteristics of each.

Identify the body parts of an insect and spider.

Describe the life cycles of insects and a spider.

Differentiate the differences between a butterfly and a moth.

Create an insect or spider using various art materials/pattern blocks, tangrams, blocks, and insect/butterfly shapes.

Email a pal in another state or country to find information about different insects/spiders.

The student will successfully complete the following activities using computers, the internet, CD-ROMs, Geo Safari cards, Geo Safari Globe, books, videos, audio cassettes, drawing paper, art materials, pattern blocks, cubes, tangrams and insect/butterfly shapes.

1.Research an insect/spider using the following links at: Interesting Bugs; Reading Books; 

Insect CD’s and Geo Safari.

2.Write a report about the insect/spider using Microsoft Word, Student Writing Center, Microsoft Works. Then import a photo or draw the insect/spider to go with the report.  Compare and constrast the insect/spider.

3.Write a newspaper article incorporating the information from the report.

4. Draw and create a class  slide presentation using PowerPoint.

5.Listen to records and cassettes about insects.

6.Draw and label the body parts of the insect/spider.

7.Use the Geo Safari Globe to find the migration pattern of the monarch butterfly, and to locate the insects and spiders located in other states or parts of the world.

8. Use the Geo Safari to complete the activities using the packet called “Creepy Crawlies.”

9.E-mail a friend in another state or country to find information about insects or spiders.

10.Create a table using the butterfly shapes or assorted insects. Then using Microsoft Excel creates a bar graph or line graph to show the insects.

11.Compose 6 questions and answers for a game of "Insect Jeopardy."

12.Create an insect/spider vocabulary list with meanings and drawings.

13.View the videos: The Benefits of Insects

Insects

Backyard Bugs by National Geographic

While viewing the videos, answer the questions about each video.

14.Read the book:  "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl and complete the class activities.

15.Design an insect or spider using the art materials/pattern blocks, blocks, or tangram shapes. Create a name for the insect/spider and write a story about it. Use a word processor to type the story.

SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS TO BE ADDRESSED:

Language Arts

Standard: A1: The student uses the reading process effectively.

Standard: A2: The student constructs meaning from a wide range of texts.

Standard: B2: The student writes to communicate ideas and 

Information effectively.

Standard: D1: The student understands the nature of language.

Standard: D2: The student understands the power of language.

Science:

Standard: F1: The student describes patterns of structure and function in living things.

Standards: G1: The student understands the competitive, interdependent, cyclic nature of living things in the environment.

Standard: G2: The student understands the consequences of using limited natural resources.

Math:

Geometry and Spatial Sense:

Standard 1: The student describes, draws, identifies, and analyzes two-three dimensional shapes.

Standard 2: The student visualizes and illustrates ways in which shapes can be combined, subdivided, and changed.

MEDIA SELECTION: 

Books:

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Portable Pets by Abrams

Ant Cities by Arthur Dorros

The Bee by Sabrina Crewe

The Ant by Michael Chinery

What About Ladybugs by Celia Godkin

Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg

Miss Spider's New Car by David Kirk

My Big Book of Facts by Andy Charman & Gillian Clements

My Big Book of Animals by Ann Savage

Ladybug at Orchard Avenue by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld

Hanna's Butterfly by Marie Vinje

Amazing World of Butterflies and Moths by Louis Sabin

The Best Bug Parade by Stuart J. Murphy

Grasshoppers by Jane Dallinger

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle

Build Your Own Bugs by Dennis Schatz

Where Butterflies Grow by Joanne Ryder

Bugs by Nancy Parker

The Icky Bug Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta

CD for the Computer:

A World of Animals by CounterTop

The Student Writing Center by The Learning Company

Microsoft Works 

Microsoft PowerPoint 

Bug Explorers by Memorex

Butterflies of the World by REMedia

Compton’s Interactive Deluxe Edition Encyclopedia

The House is Bugged by SunBurst

Insects by VR Didatech

Learning About Insects by Queue

                    Nature 2.0 by Eye Witness

Introductory Activities:

Before beginning the unit the students should become familiar with the computers, the Internet, the Geo Safari, the TV/VCR, and be able to use the Microsoft software programs and The Student Writing Center software.

Group Activities:

Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students. Provide each student in the group with a folder with the activities. Go over the Station Activities with the students. Provide each student with the cooperative and group rubric, which will be used as one of the assessment, tools. Discuss the rubric with the class.

Culminating Activities:

Host “The Queen Bee’s Ball,” for the students and parents. The teacher will dress as the “Queen Bee” and the students will create and wear his/her insect costume. The students will share created poems, delectable insect appetizers, and the class presentation using PowerPoint.

Group sharing projects and station activities

Assessments:

The station activities will be evaluated on the cooperative and group rubric.  Group Folders will be evaluated on the student’s participation, cooperative learning, group process, problem solving, and the use of the multimedia tools to complete the activities and projects.

© 2002 Martha Bush