Insect Classification

Mushtaq Ali Khawaja            Bateman
109 Geneva Street              4220 N. Richmond      
Bellwood IL 60104              Chicago IL 60618
(708) 547-6104                 (312) 543-5055

Objectives:

This lesson has been developed for 6th grade students but can be used for other
grade levels.
Students will:    
        -learn the classification system of living organisms
        -identify the general body parts of an insect
        -learn insect classification into orders, families, genus and species
        -demonstrate the ability to classify any given insects by using a
         scientific insect classification key
 
Materials Needed:
      
Colored tissue paper, cut out insect stencils, drinking straws, clothes 
pins, cotton balls, Q-tips, glue bottles, markers, crayons, yarn thread, 
napkins, scissors, paper pins, paper clips, Insect Classification Key, 4-6 
packets of insect pictures for classification (each containing 12-16 pictures),
paper charts, masking tape, etc. 

Strategy:

In preparation for this lesson, the teacher will talk in general about insects,
explain insect body parts using picture of a grasshopper and important  
morphological characters that form the basis for insect classification.  

     Part A  Each student will be given all the necessary materials to make a 
      butterfly using colorful tissue papers and attach to it appendages such as
      3 pairs of legs, 1 pair of antenna, 1 pair of compound eyes following 
      proper instructions and using appropriate materials.  Every student will 
      then identify and familiarize himself/herself with the distinct body 
      parts of an insect.  Teacher will interact as a facilitator.  All the 
      butterflies thus made will be collected by the teacher and displayed 
      in the classroom to share the work.

     Part B  Students in class will be divided into equal groups of 4 students
      each.  Each group will be provided with a standard "Insect Classification
      Key" with a packet containing 16-20 insect pictures for identification 
      purposes.  Students in each group will work together to identify given 
      insects using the key and sort them into their respective insect orders. 
      Each group will then make their own "Insect Classification Chart" by
      pasting the identified insects under alphabetically arranged respective
      insect orders with their common names written below them.  Teacher will 
      act as a facilitator.  The work of each group will be collected and 
      displayed in the classroom to share the information.


Assessment:  
    
    At the completion of the lesson, the students:
         
      A.   Can identify all the given insects using the key.

      B.   Can identify 80% of all the given insects using the key.

      C.   Can identify 70% of all the given insects using the key.

      D.   Can identify 60% of all the given insects using the key.

      F.   Cannot figure out well or at all.