Lesson 2: What Defines a Bug?
Insect forms - Bug Pictionary and Understanding Bugs Through Characteristics Organizer

Introduction:
Bugs are complex creatures, which can be broken down into simpler shapes and forms. This lesson will test the student's knowledge of bugs and show them that the basic characteristics and forms of bugs are what make them recognizable. What are insects? What do they have in common? How are they classified? What is their body structure? This part of the unit would be a great opportunity for students to bring in actual live insects to share and coordinate a multi-disciplinary project with the science class. Bug jokes could be posted around the room and the teacher could be even dressed as an entomologist for the "kick-off".

Vocabulary List:
Segments, antennae, appendages, thorax, exoskeleton, abdomen, dorsal, mimicry, ommatidia, network. Concepts: self-defense and movement.

Goals:

• Students will be able to visualize art and shapes in natural forms such as insects
• Students will use knowledge about bug structure to see 3-D volume in their form
• Students will be introduced to bug terminology
• Students will feel motivated to make their own bugs

Materials:

• Timer
• White board and markers
• Index cards with bug names
• Graphic Organizer - piece of poster board - (refer to Words, Words, Words: Teaching Vocabulary in Grades 4-12. By Janet Allen (1999) Stenhouse Publishing. Pg. 64).
• Text: Insects: A Portrait of the Animal world

Sequence of Activity:

Bug Pictionary

•  Students were assigned to review the photos in the text and read the section on body structure for homework.

•  Class is divided into croups of 5 people. One person is the artist and this rotates to each person in the group. The rest of the group tries to guess the bug.

•  Each group is allow to have their text book for reference

•  First team is given an index card that has the name of a familiar bug on in. If the card says, "all play" all teams try to guess, if not, just that group. Artist draws the bug and team tries to guess in the time allowed. 1 point is given for the first correct answer.

Assessment Activity

After activity is complete, Teacher helps students create a graphic organizer on a large piece of poster board. Students are asked, "What important parts do they draw so that people recognize the form?" These words are written across the top of the chart as the first 7 vocabulary words and two concepts. Along the side are listed names of various bugs from the textbook and the students fill in 5 from the reading. The students are told that during the unit we will fill out the rest of this chart. This way, the bugs that they create will be referenced accurately.