2. Le Andrea Grant Insects

3. Essential Question: What significant role do insects play in our environment? Unit Question: What are the different types of insects? Where do they live? What do insects eat?

4. TEKS §110.5. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 3. (10) Reading/literary response. The student responds to various texts. The student is expected to: (A) respond to stories and poems in ways that reflect understanding and interpretation in discussion (speculating, questioning), in writing, and through movement, music, art, and drama (2-3); (B) demonstrate understanding of informational text in a variety of ways through writing, illustrating, developing demonstrations, and using available technology (2-3); (C) support interpretations or conclusions with examples drawn from text (2-3); and (D) connect ideas and themes across texts (1-3).

5. Activities Individual-The student 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). Read various books about insects as the main characters Language Arts: Make an insect journal with the insects, describe how the insects are alike and different through pictures. Illustrate the insects that most interest he or she and its surroundings.

6. Activities Group : WHERE TO LOOK Insects are everywhere!! Insects are often encountered, at least with a little searching, in homes, yards, around building foundations, basements, crawl spaces, flower or vegetable gardens that are NOT heavily sprayed with pesticides, around lights at night, near streams and lakes, abandoned fields, parks, and forests. Dead insects in reasonable condition (for collections) can often be found on windowsills, car grilles, roadsides and walking paths. Some insects are very sedentary and are easy to catch with a pair of tweezers. Others fly, some pretty slowly and others (like dragonflies) are FAST! Catching insects takes some practice. It is best not to catch dangerous insects such as bees and wasps at first. Collectors may want to keep an observation notebook to help them keep track of their expeditions. It is a good idea to make labels for insects that include collection date, location and habitat, as well as the collector's name.

7. Activities Students will learn facts about bugs and insects. With students, brainstorm a list of bugs and insects. Give each student a copy of the Bugs and Insects Cards.Bugs and Insects Cards Tell students to choose two bugs to make cards for. Tell students to research the following information about each bug: where it lives, what it eats, and who its predators are. If you have Internet access in the classroom, students can use the Internet resources listed below. Each student should write the insect’s name on a card, draw a picture in the space provided, then write facts in the spaces on the right-hand side of the card. What You Need Bugs and Insects Cards (PDF file) Bugs and Insects Cards books, encyclopedias, and other sources of information about bugs and insects scissors glue or tape crayons or markers

8. Activity Have students cut out the cards and then fold and glue or tape them. If you like, you can display the cards around the room. Internet Resource Insects on the Web The site provides an “entomological database of very cool bugs.” Check out intricate designs on different butterfly wings, fantastic close-up pictures of a wide range of interesting insects, and cool facts about rare bugs. This site is very well designed, and the graphics are amazing. http://www.bugbios.com/ Insects on the Web

9. Test : Spider Sense http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/biology/spider/quiz2 52.html http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/biology/spider/quiz2 52.html Some weave webs, to catch of prey. Others pounce, while some even build traps for the unwary to fall into. Spiders have been around on earth for millions of years. Take this quiz to test your spider sense!

10. Test: Butter Quiz http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/biology/butterfly/quiz 248.html http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/biology/butterfly/quiz 248.html There are many kinds of insects in our world. Some of the most beautiful and interesting insects are the butterflies. How much do you know about them and their journey from caterpillar to butterfly? Select the correct answer for each question

11. Sources http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/bugfun/col lecti.htm http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/bugfun/col lecti.htm http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/