Insects:

Survival Adaptations

MANCHESTER COLLEGE

LESSON PLAN by James Vincent

Lesson:  INSECTS:  Survival Adaptations                Length:   35 minutes              Grade:  Pre K or K

Academic Standard:  K.1.1   Raise questions about the natural world.

Academic Standard:  K.4.1   Give examples of plants and animals.

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Performance Objective 1:  Given a supplied specimen, the student will make observations during the exploring phase of the lesson.

Performance Objective 2:  The student will address questions regarding the specimen during the explaining and elaborating phases of the lesson.

Performance Objective 3:  When asked, the student will provide one example of an animal (or insect).

Assessment:    Formative:  observation of students making connections between insects’ ways of being seen and humans using methods to been

                         seen at night.

Materials:       NON-TOXIC glow sticks

                        white paper
                        small watercolor paint brushes
                        paper cups
                        paint smocks (Chemical stains)

                        jars containing several fireflies

Advanced Preparation by Teacher:

            Bend and shake the glow sticks to activate the ingredients.  Using a razor blade, remove the end of the plastic tube.  Strain the mixture into

            paper cups.  Using the glow stick mixture, paint a firefly.

Procedure

Introduction/Motivation:     

Last night, as I was taking out my garbage, I noticed these little critters flying all around me.  They were really pretty to look at and even more

fascinating to play with.  I ran inside and grabbed a jar and began collecting several of these things…these glowing critters.  After I collected

these critters, the strangest thing happened to me.  I noticed I had this stuff all over my hands (spread glow-stick mixture on hands) and they

were glowing (turn off lights). (Turn lights back on)  At your tables, I have placed cups filled with this mysterious substance, and jars with

these critters.  In your small groups, I want you to explore what these insects and this substance might be.  You may use the brushes and paper

to assist you in exploring the substance.”

Step-by-Step Plan:

Let the students play with the critter-filled jars.  Encourage them to rotate the jars in all directions in order to see each different side of the

contained critter.  Inform them that it is important to keep the critters in the jars.  Allow the students to paint with the glow-stick mixture.

Encourage them to explore with their hands as well as with the brushes and paper. (Knowledge, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Naturalist)

Review what the students believe these critters are and why they may glow.  Summarize the groups’ ideas of what the mysterious material

might be.  Aftersharing ideas, finally identify the critters as fireflies.  Explain to the children how and why their abdomens glow.  Explain the

body parts of an insect and why some creatures evolve and create modifications to their bodies in order to survive.  Reveal what the substance

is and how it is relative to the firefly’s survival.

Closure:

Read The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle.  Discuss the importance of being seen as well as methods humans use to remain seen:  riding a

bike at night; hunting with bright colored clothing walking in the dark; seeing in the dark in order to move around in a room; tall buildings

with lights on top so planes don’t crash into them; planes; cars; driving at night; etc. (Comprehension, Synthesis, Intrapersonal)

            Enrichment:

            Allow to students to create warning signs and reminders for other students in the school to take precautionary measures while at night.  This

            is particularly important during this holiday season (Halloween).  Hang signs and reminders on various hallway bulletin boards throughout

            the school.  You can make this extension either a contest for the best drawings or just for fun!

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