September 2021

Buggy About Bugs!

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Academic Standards

 

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify steps that scientists use to conduct an investigation.

 

Reading Level:

Lexile: 420L; GRL: J

 

Next Generation Science Standards:

Practice 3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

 

2-LS4-1 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats

 

Vocabulary:

scientist, entomologist

Use these questions to check students’ understanding and stimulate discussion:

 

1. Did Sammy like bugs when he was 7?
(No. He was scared of bugs.)

2. How did he stop being scared?
(His mom took him to the library. He read about bugs there.)

3. What is an entomologist?
(an insect scientist )

4. Which insect in the magazine do you like best? Why? 
(Answers will vary.)

Go online to print or project the Reading Checkpoint.

 

  • When Sammy was 7, he was so scared of bugs, he didn’t want to go out to recess—too many bugs!
  • When he turned 8, he’ d grown to love bugs so much, his birthday cake had bug decorations.
  • Sammy used to think bees stung just to be mean. He learned that bees sting to protect themselves. His job now is helping to protect bees.

Materials: clipboards; pencils, copies of the skill sheet, (Optional: hand lenses)

Overview: Like Dr. Sammy, students will go outside to observe an insect and record their findings. (Alternative: Observe a leaf or other item from nature, or use large insect photos.)

Directions:

  1. Before you leave the classroom, tell students that scientists like Dr. Sammy observe insects to learn about them. Scientists record what they observe by writing or drawing.
  2. Give each child a clipboard, skill sheet, and pencil. Take hand lenses if you have them. Head outside.
  3. Look for insects in bushes, on trees, or under logs or rocks, where possible. What kinds of insects do you see? What colors are they? What are they doing? How do they move? Are the insects working alone or in groups?
  4. To model scientific thinking, use statements beginning with “I notice” and “I wonder.” Have students record their observations on the skill sheet. Back in the classroom, students can share what they observed with each other, like scientists do!