Title of Project : Animals - Insects - Grade One
Lesson 1: What are the Characteristics of an Insect?
Objectives:
Students will:
- identify the characteristics of insects
- label the main body parts of an insect
- use the computer as a tool to gather information from web sites
Instructional Methods:
- teacher-led discussion, concept attainment, inquiry
Materials Needed:
- chart paper 
- diagram of insect to label (one per student)
- Internet site bookmarked - Virtual Insects
(http://www.ento.vt.edu/~sharov/3d/virtual.html) 
Teacher Tips:
QuickTime plug-in is needed to see movies. If you don't have this Apple QuickTime 4 Plug-in, you can get it  from this link. 

The movies take a short while to download but they are worth it.
Activities Prior to Computer:
- Instruct the students will be going to the bookmarked website and to view several insects in a  short 3D movie format.  As they are viewing the movies, ask them to look for common characteristics of insects.
Activities While at the Computer:
- Click on the title of the Internet site below:(already bookmarked)
Virtual Insects   (with adult assistance)
- With adult assistance, have the students compare and contrast insect movies to come up with a list of common characteristics for insects.
Activities For After Using the Computer:
- Teacher leads a discussion and list on chart paper the main characteristics of insects
1) Insects have 6 legs.
2) Insects have 3 body parts - head, thorax, abdomen)
3) Insects usually have two large eyes.
4) Insects usually have one or two pair of wings.
5) Insects have tough waterproof skin.
6) Insecnts are the largest group of animals.
- Students label the main body parts of an insects on the worksheet provided.
(teacher answer sheet)
Student Assessment:
- Select 4-6 students to observe. Talk with these children while they are working on the computer and on their insect sheet. Make anecdotal notes on sticky notes or make a chart to fill in.  For each child, note things such as:
* Did the student use the computer with some assistance to view the movies?
* Can the student name three characteristics of an insect?
* Were the parts of the insect labelled correctly?

On to Lesson 2: From Caterpillar to Butterfly
back to Grade One - Animal Project Page