Lesson 2: Arachnid or Insect?

"Amazing Arachnids," a Science Curricular Unit for Grades 3-4, developed by Ruth W. Rose
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AMAZING ARACHNIDS

 

LESSON 2:  ARACHNID OR INSECT?

 

 

OBJECTIVES:

Students will:

  • Research online sources to identify features of arachnids and insects.
  • Classify individual species as insects or arachnids.
  • Construct a Venn Diagram, comparing and contrasting features of arachnids and insects.

 

PROCEDURES:

  1. Students will visit the following teacher-selected sites to gather information about arachnids and insects.
  2. Students will complete Graphic Organizers, comparing the following features on arachnids and insects:
  • Body Parts
  • Examples of Species of Arachnids & Insects
  • Two Interesting Facts

 

Sites to visit online for research:

http://www.photovault.com/Link/Orders/EntomologyInsects/INSECTSMaster.html

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/Appd.php

http://lii.org/advanced/file/insects

http://lii.org/advanced/file/insects

http://www.primalx.com/insects/

 

3.  Students come back to share in whole group, while teacher charts appropriate comments on K-W-L Chart.

 

4.  Teachers introduces life-size Venn Diagram, constructed out of two intersecting hula hoops.  One hoop represents Arachnids; the other represents Insects; and the intersecting section represents common attributes.  Teacher asks each student to choose an index card to place in appropriate section of Venn Diagram.  (Teachers will modify for their students, i.e., students may work with partners, ask for a “lifeline,” etc.)

 

The index cards contain the following words and some may have illustrations to help with ease of classifications:

Six Legs

Eight Legs

Two Main Body Parts

Three Main Body Parts

Abdomen

Cephalathorax

Head

Wings

Antennae

Spider

Honey Bee

House Fly

Dog Tick

Invertebrate

Grasshopper

Preying Mantis

Beetle

Ant

Eyes

Thorax

Habitat

Wasps

Dung Beetle

Lady Bug

Etc.,

Etc.

(Teacher’s imagination is the limit here!)

 

5.  After constructing a class Venn Diagram, students each construct Venn Diagrams on paper, comparing/contrasting Arachnids and Insects.  (Teachers may ask for 5-10 features for each, or adjust per students’ abilities.) 

Notes: Students may find that tracing paper plates is a fun and successful way to draw the circles for the Venn Diagram.

 

 

 

 

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