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Lesson Plan: Insects (Science - Grade 1)

Subject:  Science

Grade: 1

Lesson Objective: To learn about what makes an insect an insect

Common Core Standard:  CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

Materials:

Starter:

Say:

  • What do you know about insects?  (Allow the students to answer.)

Main:

Say:

  • There are more insects on Earth than any other type of creature. 
  • There are thousands of different types of insects.  We have many around here where we live and there are thousands of other types of insects that live in other parts of the world.
  • Insects all have some things in common.  All insects have what is called an exoskeleton.  An exoskeleton is a hard shell on the outside that protects them.  All insects have six legs and three body parts and most insects have wings.
  • Can you think of any insects?  (Allow the students to answer.)
  • Butterflies, beetles, bees, grasshoppers, flies and ants are all insects.
  • Insects hatch from eggs and then go through what is called metamorphosis.  That is when they change from a young insect to an adult insect. 
  • Most insects change completely when they go through metamorphosis.  A butterfly changing from a caterpillar to a butterfly is a good example of that.
  • Other insects, such as a grasshopper, come out of its egg looking like it will when it is an adult.  They just get bigger.
  • Insects live all over the world.  They are found in rain forests, deserts, on mountains, in caves, in fresh water, in cold places and some can even be found in oceans.
  • Most insects are small.  A few types of insects can get really big.  There is an insect called a walking stick that can be longer than 12 inches!
  • Some insects are very helpful to people and other animals.  There are insects that eat other insects that are harmful.  There are insects that are food for animals.  There are insects that help food to grow by pollinating it.  Some insects even make things that people use such as honey, silk and different dyes.
  • You are going to be looking at a diagram of an insect, reading a little about insects and then answering questions.
  • Does anyone have any questions?

Feedback:

Say:

  • Who would like to share your answers?  (Allow the students to share)

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Written by Kimberly Greacen, Education World® Contributing Writer

Kimberly is an educator with extensive experience in curriculum writing and developing instructional materials to align with Common Core State Standards and Bloom's Taxonomy.

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