Insect ID

A lesson to teach students what constitutes an insect and how they act as our pollinators. Students will be able to identify insects based on a set of features and distinguish them from other "bugs".

Duration
Less than 1 hour
Lesson Type
Traditional Lesson

Lesson Created By: Savannah River Ecology Lab

Essential Question

What are the characteristics of an insect? How do these characteristics aid in the process of pollination?

Grade(s):

  • 1

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

  • Magnifying glasses or microscopes
  • Insect specimens for students to look at
  • Large poster board (any color)
  • 12 pictures of various arthropods (you will want some insects and some that are not) on a posterboard

Lesson Progression

Prep:

  • Set up stations for students to observe insects with microscopes or magnifying glass
  • Create the Is it an Insect? Game board: Attach pictures of arthropods to the poster board. Decorate and label as needed.

The Activity:

  • Explain that not everything we call a “bug” is actually an insect. Identify the features of insects.
    • 3 pairs of legs, 3 body segments, 2 antennae, and sometimes wings
    • Drawing the main features on a whiteboard would be a great visual aid.
  • Have stations with insects prepared for students to view with magnifying glasses or microscopes if possible.
  • Have the students draw some of the features they see: wings, head with antennae, legs etc.
  • Play the game “Is it an Insect?”
    • Have a large poster board about 12 pictures of arthropods evenly spaced.
    • Assign the class into teams of 2-4.
    • Go through the pictures to see if the groups can name the arthropod and say if it is an insect or not

Teacher Notes

More often than not, we tend to classify many different types of arthropods as insects. However, insects have specific characteristics including six legs; three distinct body segments: head, thorax, abdomen; two antennae on their head, and sometimes wings. Some examples of other arthropods that are not insects include spiders, mites, and scorpions.
 

Is It An Insect?

A poster of insects and various arthropods to teach students about different types of "bugs" and how they are different from insects.

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