Insects and Arachnids Lesson Plan: Which is Which?

Submitted by: Toya Gordon

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 3-8, students use BrainPOP resources to distinguish between insects and arachnids based on their physical features. Students will also describe and label the important physical features of insects and arachnids, and use their knowledge of arthropods to invent a new kind of insect and arachnid.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7

Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7

Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

Grade: 06

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7

Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

Grade: 07

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.7

Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium’s portrayal of the subject (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words).

Grade: 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.7

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

Grade: 06, 07, 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7

Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.8

Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.8

Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.8

Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.

Students will:

Distinguish between insects and arachnids based on their physical features.
Describe and label the important physical features of insects and arachnids.
Use knowledge of arthropods to invent a new kind of insect and arachnid.

Materials:

BrainPOP access
Plastic insects and arachnids
New Arthropod worksheet (download below under 'Worksheets')
Compare graphic organizer
Interactive whiteboard (optional)
Pictures of insects and arachnids for whiteboard (optional)

Vocabulary:

invertebrate, arthropods, antennae, compound eye, mandibles, thorax, abdomen, cephalothorax, spinnerets, jointed legs, exoskeleton

Preparation:

Make a class set of copies of the BrainPOP Compare graphic organizer and the New Insect and New Arachnid worksheets (download below under 'Worksheets'.) If using an interactive whiteboard, search online for clear pictures of insects and arachnids.

Lesson Procedure:

Have students sit in a circle. Place the plastic arthropods in the middle of the circle. Explain that they are all animals, but there are two distinct types in the circle.
Ask for a few volunteers to see if they are able to think of a way to separate the animals into two groups, and to explain their thinking. After a few attempts, tell them that are all arthropods, which are invertebrates that have an exoskeleton, jointed legs, and segmented body parts. Some are insects, and some are arachnids, and they are going to learn more about their physical characteristics to be able to tell between the two.
If using a whiteboard, have the images on the screen, and have the students move them into two groups instead of using plastic arthropods.
Hand out the Compare sheet, and tell students to write down physical characteristics of insects in the first column while they are watching.
View the Insects video. After the video, discuss the physical characteristics the students have noted.

Extension Activities:

To modify the lesson, you could cut pieces of paper into different shapes, and have students choose different paper choices to create new arthropods. You could also have the students use Model Magic to create the new arthropods and have an "Arthropod Garden" in your classroom.

Students can also view the BrainPOP videos on Invertebrates and/or Spiders, or the BrainPOP Jr. video on Butterflies.

Downloadable Resources:

New_Arachnid.doc
New_Insect.doc