Arthropods & Insects - Lessons & Activities

NOTE:  I created many of these lessons for a school-wide Adopt-An-Insect Unit for 5th-8th grade students.  I used many of these lessons in my 8th grade classroom during our arthropod classification and insect unit. 

Bug Blitz - A Study in Biodiversity (T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
In past years our district had money for field trips to local nature areas for the Butterfly Brigade project; however, budget cuts made it difficult to pay for transportation.  I decided to adapt the project to a smaller level using our school garden, which is a quick walk to our front schoolyard!  I started this new project in the fall of 2016 as part of my Ecology unit for my 8th grade students.  The goal of project was to investigate biodiversity by documenting the bug populations that could be found there.   This project was a huge hit with the students - not only catching/documenting the bugs, but also implementing their strategies in the spring as we redid the school garden.

Download the Bug Blitz Project Information file (includes links to the PPT and worksheets as well as information regarding learning standards.)

Adopt-An-Insect Report Worksheet (T. Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
For this activity, students "adopt" a specific insect, then cruise the web to complete the worksheet with information about their minibeast. From food sources to life cycles, students gain insight into the life of their insect. Once the worksheets are completed, allow time for the students to analyze similarities and differences between their insects and those of their classmates.

Student Worksheet: Adopt-An-Insect Report (pdf)

Also available ... My seventh grade students focus on Butterflies and Moths for the Adopt-An-Insect unit. The use the Butterflies of Illinois website to complete a Adopt-A-Butterfly Report (pdf). I prepared a list of common butterflies for our state using the ones provided on this site and have each student draw one for the report. I also provide the Adopt-A-Butterfly Report Requirements (pdf) to make sure they know what each section requires. The worksheet provides a map of Illinois since that the state we are in. You can paste a copy of your state map over the Illinois map.

Insect Scavenger Hunt (Adapted from a variety of sources)
Use these scavenger hunts as your students explore a local nature area or your school yard. The pdf version contains three scavenger hunts ranging from easy to hard.

Student Worksheets: Insect Hunts (pdf)

Insect Challenge Project (T. Tomm, Havana Junior High School, Havana, IL)
Take the scavenger hunt to a new level! The page resembles a "Jeopardy" board. Items are divided into 4 topics with 10 items listed under each one. Students search a nature area or schoolyard for insects that match the descriptions listed on the worksheet. This project is assigned after we have discussed the vocabulary from our insect unit (anatomy, defense mechanisms, and metamorphosis) as well as each of the insect orders listed on the worksheet. Students WERE required to identify each insect and its order (as specific as possible depending on the type of ID guides you have) to receive credit. Students had to tell me where they want to use a specific insect, since one insect could match two or three different boxes. After I'd initialed the box/item, students released the insect and searched for another one. Students could only use an insect for one box/item. If they wanted to use a grasshopper for two different items, they must catch two different grasshoppers.

Student Worksheet: Insect Challenge Project (pdf)

NOTE:  Emphasize that this is a "catch and release" project. The goal is catch the insect, identify it, and release it back into the garden or schoolyard. Students should be careful not to injure or kill the insect. I also discourage students from bringing in moths and butterflies they catch at home as the wings might be damaged while stored in a container. I also tell them not to bring in insects that sting. We can catch these types of insects in the garden or spot them from a distance!

Birds & Caterpillars
I use this lesson as part of the Adopt-An-Insect unit to investigate defense mechanisms, such as camouflage, eyespots, bright colors, etc. Students take on the role of a bird in search of caterpillars, which are colored pasta pieces. After the hunt for food, students brainstorm a list of other defense mechanisms used by insects. They spend time looking for insects in the Nature Center garden and complete the Daily Defenders worksheet. Complete details and lesson worksheets are provided in the pdf download.

Teacher and Student Worksheets: Birds & Caterpillars (pdf)

Musical Insects (T. (Trimpe) Tomm & C. Koehler, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Need ideas to spice up your music lessons? Use insects! Check out this list of ideas that can be used to bring the world of insects into your music classes.

Teacher Information Page: Musical Insects (pdf)

Piece by Piece (T. (Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
During this project, students will create an insect puzzle - piece by piece-working from a sample photograph. This great lesson for math class challenges students to use scale to create one piece of a puzzle. When all the pieces are completed, students can piece them together to get the big picture!

Teacher Information Page: Piece by Piece (pdf)

The Butterfly Project (Sue Hallmark, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
During this project created by one of our junior high math teachers, students used rubber bands to enlarge photographs of butterflies.

Teacher Information Page: The Butterfly Project (pdf)

Torn Insect Art (Submitted by Kelly Matlick, Illinois)
Challenge your students to create an insect using their knowledge of insect anatomy.

Student Worksheet: Insect Art (pdf)

Student Worksheet: Insect Mania (pdf)

Megabeast (T. (Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
During this project, students are challenged to create models of insects from the ancient world. Using an insect specimen and a scale process, students will design and construct a model that is ten times the size of the original.

Procedure:
(1) Students will need to obtain a preserved specimen of an insect or detailed photograph.
(2) Allow time for students to draw a detailed diagram of their insect. The diagram should be labeled with as much information as possible, such as overall length, width, girth, wingspan as well as details of the parts found on your insect. Accurate measurements are important for an accurate finished project.
(3) All measurements need to be converted to scale measurements for your model. Students should record their calculations in the space provided in Part B and note the new measurements on their diagram in Part A.
(4) Challenge students to create a 3-D “megabeast” model of their insect using available materials. The model should be as realistic as possible and be able to hang from a ceiling hook. Students will need to consider using materials that will be able to create a large project with as little weight as possible. A few suggestions are paper mache, tissue paper, sheets of plastic, fabric, and netting.

Student Worksheet: Megabeast (pdf)

A Bug's Life (T. (Trimpe) Tomm & L. Range, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Challenge your students to develop a presentation for their classmates related to life in "Bug Land", a land where the people have been magically transformed into insects. Students utilize Internet resources to investigate their insect (foods, habitats, adaptations, etc.) and work as a team to create a 5-10 minute presentation.

Student Worksheet: A Bug's Life (pdf)

Adopt-An-Insect Bingo Game (T. (Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High School, Havana, IL)
I use this game to review the vocabulary covered during our annual Adopt-An-Insect unit. The download contains a bingo card as well as clue cards. I print the clues on an overhead transparency, then cut them apart and put on the overhead during the game. I give the kids a roll of Smarties to use as markers, but warn them that don't get to eat them unless they are good. I also challenge the kids tell me what each term means when they read off their bingos. I encourage the students to make notes on their bingo card during the game so they can use the page to study for the unit test.

Student Worksheet: Adopt-An-Insect Bingo Game Card (pdf)

Also available ... World of Insects Word Find Puzzle (pdf) by Tracy (Trimpe) Tomm - Challenge your students to find all the words in the word list! Once they are done with the puzzle, have them create a concept map on the back of the page using at least 15 of the terms in the puzzle.

Internet Scavenger Hunts & Other Ideas
Eyewitness Insect Video Quiz (pdf) - I have my students take notes during the video to help them on the quiz or you can have them complete the quiz as they watch the video (it goes in order).
Insect Jokes Page (pdf) - Use this page of bug jokes for extra credit or just extra laughs!
Internet Bug Hunt (pdf) - Use the sites listed in the Insect Links section of the Kid Zone Archive document to learn more about insects!
.Adopt-An-Insect Word Find (pdf) - Challenge your students to find all the insect-related terms and names of common insects in this word search puzzle.

Insect Collection Ideas - Here are a few ideas to help you catch a few insects!

Baked Potato Invertebrate Trap- A fun lesson using baked potatos to capture and examine invertebrates in the soil. Complete details can be found on the page along with student data sheets and discussion questions!

Insect Trap Ideas from the University of Kentucky - Visit the Entomology for Kids site to learn how to make a variety of traps and collecting equipment, such as an aspirator, an underwater light trap, or regular light trap.

Light Screen Trap
To create this type of trap, hang a clothesline between two trees or poles. Drape a large white sheet over the line and place an electric light behind the sheet. Wait until dark, turn on the light, and watch for the critters! An alternative is to drape a sheet over a wooden clothes dryer and place the light inside your screen trap. Challenge your students to create the "best" screen trap. Experiment with different colored bulbs to see which color attracts the most insects. Try adding various scents to your screen trap to determine if a specific scent increases the number of visitors. Place your traps in different locations around the schoolyard or nature area. Collect data from each location and compare the results. I am sure your students will be able to come up with an assortment of ideas to build a better insect trap!

Simple Killing Jar (Directions provided by Jim Stoekel, Natural History Survey)

Materials: Clean glass jars with lids (various sizes) Plaster of Paris Water Fingernail Polish Remover Kleenex or Paper Towels NOTE: One 4-lb container of Plaster of Paris fills approximately 24 quart sized jars.

Directions:
(1) Prepare the plaster mixture as directed on package. Pour a layer (approx. 1/3 to 1/2”) in the bottom of each jar. Leave the lid off and allow to dry overnight.

(2) Once the plaster is dry, pour a small amount of fingernail polish remover in each jar and allow time for absorption. Pour off any remaining amount into a safe container.

(3) Add a Kleenex or small piece of paper towel to the jar. This will prevent damage to the insects after they are placed in the jar.

(4) Catch insects and place in jar. Wait several minutes for the fumes to work, then remove the insect. NOTE: The killing jar may be used several times before needing “recharged”. Simply add more fingernail polish remover to recharge the killing jar.

CAUTION: Be sure to prepare in well ventilated area away from flame. Students should not breathe the fumes and wash any skin area that comes in contact with the fluid. Consult the label of the fingernail polish remover for safety precautions. It is always a good idea to label your jars!