Browse lesson plans

Biodiversity: The many sounds of insects

In BioMusic, page 1.6

In this lesson, students will explore the sounds of insects and compare them with bird songs. They will create pan flutes and use them for communication.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

BioMusic

Two units of biomusicology instruction for grades 2–3 and 4–5. Your students will be fascinated by these lessons that cover the miracles of animal communication, the mechanics of sound, and their connections to the field of music.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Bugs, bugs, bugs

This lesson integrates writing and the study of insects by having the students create a book following the pattern of How Many Bugs in a Box? by David A. Carter.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Vicki Rivenbark.

Butterfly cycle

Students will understand the life cycle of the butterfly and create various art activities that would model metamorphosis.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Science)

By Becky Woolard.

Butterfly metamorphosis

This is an integrated lesson which is introduced using the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Butterfly metamorphosis is explored through art, math, and writing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Science)

By Laura Byers.

Getting to know spiders

This lesson is useful for helping students understand the differences between spiders and insects. They will also learn about a spider's particular body parts. Live spiders will be observed over the course of a few days to see how sound, light, and movement affect the spiders.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Science)

By Bree Welmaker.

Incredible insect mouths

This lesson shows children that insects have different kinds of mouths. It also notes the kinds of foods that different insects eat. It is a hands-on experiment type of lesson in which the children act as insects and use different tools for their “mouths.”

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Kelly Stewart.

An integrated lesson comparing the butterfly and frog life cycles

Students will build on their prior knowledge about the butterfly life cycle to compare and contrast the life cycles of butterflies and frogs. Students will locate butterflies on the school grounds and create pictographs and models of fractions to explain their findings mathematically. Students will also use a variety of resources to read about and study the food, space and air needed by butterflies and frogs to grow. They will create visual and written products to demonstrate their findings.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Development, Mathematics, and Science)

By Martha Dobson and Margaret Monds.

Marvelous metamorphosis

Most kids love insects. This integrated unit will enable students the opportunity to observe, identify, and describe the life cycle a mealworm goes through during his metamorphosis into a grain beetle.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Pam Maness.

The migration of the monarch butterfly

The students will listen to and discuss books about butterflies and the migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico in order to integrate science, social studies, and language arts.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Development, Science, and Social Studies)

By Martha H. Dobson and Margaret Monds.

Termites, ink pens and pheromones

Students will investigate the behavior of termites to understand and use the scientific method.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Jacki Clark.

Resources on the web

Butterfly 1: Observing the life cycle of a butterfly

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students will observe one organism over time and compare its early development (caterpillar) to its later development. Students will also compare actual characteristics of a butterfly with a fictional representation of a... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Science)

Provided by: Science Netlinks

Insects we love and hate

This lesson is about insects rather than parasites, but it teaches students about some insect parasites (e.g. mosquitoes and lice) as well as about insects in general. They'll see pictures of insects that bite and sting, and others of insects that don't... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K Science)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Pest World for Kids

Did you know that an ant can lift 20 times its body weight? Find out about all sorts of common pests, how they have adapted, and how to protect yourself and your house from their potential damage. Have fun with the quizzes and games. Includes lesson plans... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Pest Management Association