INSECT
TAXONOMY
VIA
THE INTERNET
| Roger Renfro |
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Introduction
The students use the Internet in order to find classifications for a certain
number of insects. After retrieving information, the students organize the
pictures and information into a book project. This helps the students learn how
to use the Internet, classify insects, and organize the information so that it
makes sense.
Science
Classification of Insects
Grades 7
Student Lesson
Standards Addressed
Evolution
3.d. Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. As a basis for understanding this concept:
Students know how to construct a simple branching diagram to classify living groups of organisms by shared derived characteristics and how to expand the diagram to include fossil organisms.
Instructional Objectives
1. The students will be able to use the Internet independently and have knowledge of classification in order to complete a more difficult, independent assignment later in the month.
2. The students will be able to surf the World Wide Web/Internet and classify at least 10 different insects to the "order."
3. The students will be able to use a teacher furnished "taxonomy key" to classify their insects.
Student Activities
Introductory Activity
Issue each student a "taxonomy key" for local insects. Using examples of various specimens explain the use of the "key" and how to track their particular insect through the question and answer function of the "key". Have the students turn on the computers and connect to the Internet. Once everyone has completed this task successfully, explain to the class how to use the different search engines. Tell them to try it by themselves for a little while. While the students are doing this, walk around the room to make sure everyone is doing it correctly. Next, tell the class to search the Web for images of 2 examples of 5 different insects orders, i.e., coleoptera, orthoptera, hymenoptera, etc., and to print the images. Don't forget to tell your class to note the order of the insects.
Once everyone in the class has completed this, have them construct a book. There are three ways to create a book:
Enabling Activity(ies)
Materials:
- construction Paper/old photo albums
- stapler/yarn/hole puncher
- one computer per student and teacher
- folder for each student
Construction Paper book
Have the students pick out 10 pieces of Construction paper. Tell the students to pile the paper together in the order they would like their book. Tell them to (1) use a hole puncher to make three holes on the left hand side of the pile of paper, and then tie the paper together with yarn through the holes. Demonstrate this so the class does not become confused. (2) Instead of using hole punches and yarn, the students can staple the book together on the left side.
Photo Album Book
You should tell the class ahead of time that if they would rather use a photo
album for their book, they should bring one in from home. However, have some old
photo albums available if you can.
Show the class how to cover the photo album with a paper bag/wrapping paper and
saran wrap. This will help to preserve the book. Make sure you tell the students
to decorate the bag before putting the saran wrap on it.
Culminating Activity
Tell the students to create a book of their insects. On the left page, they
should put the picture of the insect, and on the right page, they should put the
information about the insect (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, & Order). Tell the students to
decorate the cover of the book. If it is a photo album, the students should put
a cover on it, such as a butcher paper, and they will also be able to decorate their
book. Also, don't forget to tell the students to put their name on the inside of
the back of the book if it is a photo album, or, on the back of the book for
construction paper books.
Assessment
Assessment will be done by the accuracy and validity of the book project. Also, the project will be assessed by citations of Internet addresses, the use of the "taxonomy key" (the accuracy of their classifications) and how much effort the students seemed to have given towards the project.
Insert your grading rubric
for the culminating activity or a link to your rubric or test document
file.
Useful Internet Resources:
Education Resources
Insects on WWW
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/www_sites.html
http://www.zin.ru/Animalia/Siphonaptera/index.htm
http://gnv.ifas.ufl.edu/~ftsgweb/insmik.htm
Results
After implementing your lesson
(sometime between January & March), insert a chart of your pre-test,
post-test, and culminating assessment data.
Web
Resources & Supplementary Materials
Introductory Activity
List and link the web resources
for this activity here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files
and /or document files.
Enabling Activity
List and link the web resources
for your learning activity(ies) here. Also link supplementary materials
such as PDF files and /or document files.
Culminating Activity
List and link the web resources
for this activity here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files
and /or document files.
San Pasqual High School
Rt.1, 676 Baseline Rd.
Winterhaven, CA 92283
Roger Renfro
rrenfro@icoe.k12.ca.us