Overview:

Familiarize the students with the different parts of an insect. In this one hour game, kindergarteners will use information given to them as clues from index cards to identify different types of insects placed in front of them.

Purpose:

The students will be able to identify different types of insects as they process information given to them.
The students will be able to discuss the different types of habitats insects are found from visual observation (prior knowledge).

TEKS:
(3) Critical thinking and decision making:
a. make decisions using information
b. justify merits of decisions

(5) Properties and Patterns - Organisms, Objects, and Events
a. properties of objects and characteristics of organisms

(9) Living Organisms- Basic Needs
a. identify basic needs of organisms

Materials:

Jars with lids, insects to place in jars, index cards, background information

Getting Ready: (Background Information)

For this activity everything must be prepared ahead of time. The jars can be simple jars that are found at home (ex. Baby food jars). Make sure the lids have holes in them so the insects can breathe. Insects are found everywhere so it is best to collect them using a swooping net and place them in the jars. Try to get insects that the students are famiLiar with, such as, butterflies, caterpillars, grasshoppers, etc. In the jars place small amounts of grass, or something that the insect can feed on. Place the jars in the room where all the students can see and observe. Also, try and place the jars in certain categories such as insects with antennae, insects with wings, etc. for further instruction. Look for background information on the insects that were collected. This information can be found in basic insect books. Look for basic information describing the characteristics of the insects. Place this information on index cards.

Motivate: (Engage)

Begin by going over with the students their basic body parts by dancing along to "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes". Afterward discuss how we are not the only ones that have body parts, and introduce the topic of insects. As you talk about how the insects body parts are different, show the students the insects in the jars, allow them to observe and familiarize themselves with the insects.

Activity: (Explore)

Play the game "What Insect Am I?" Have the jars with the insects in front of the students. Using the index cards with the information about each insect, describe each one and allow the students to guess which insect you are describing. For example," I have large eyes, two pairs of wings that can be clear, colored, or marked with black patterns, very long abdomen (body), long legs: what insect am I?" The students are able to visually see the insects and identify them easily. As the students identify each insect go into further discussion on where they are found, and what they need to survive.

Safety Tips:

• Don't allow the students to open the jars.
• Find insects that are not harmful.
• Set rules for the students as they observe the jars.
• Place holes on the lids of the jars so the insects can breathe.
• Basic classroom rules apply.

Concept Discovers: (Explanation)

This activity will help the students familiarize themselves with the different parts of the insects, and how insects are different. At this point the teacher should instruct the students with basic knowledge about the insects. Have a class discussion on what the students know from prior knowledge. Provide them with other details that are interesting to them.

Going Further: (Elaboration)

This is where class discussion continues. Allow the students to pick up the insects and observe them, and talk about what else they see. Compare and contrast the insects. Discuss how each insect uses their body parts, such as, the use of the antennae.

Closure:

In order to bring the lesson to a close, repeat questions and comments to make sure the students are understanding. Once they have a full understanding, allow the students to put the insects in a safe place where they can still observe.

Assessment: (Evaluation)

Since this is mainly a game and a class discussion the main evaluation would be through observation of the students. After the game place the jars in the science center with pictures of the parts of the insects for further observation and instruction.

Connections: (Integration with other content areas)

This activity can be adapted to other subjects in many ways.

• Language Arts: Make an insect journal with the insects, describe how the insects are alike and different through pictures.
• Mathematics: As the insects are put into groups, make a graph to indicate likes and differences.
  TEKS: (12) Probability and statistics: The student constructs and uses graphs of real objects or pictures to answer questions.
  (a) Construct graphs using real objects or pictures in order to answer questions.
• Social Studies: Relating the body parts of insects and how they relate to us is integrating social studies as they learn about themselves.

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