Insects
Second Grade Life Science
FOSS Module Overview

Big Ideas
and
Guiding Questions

Big Ideas:

  • Animals have similarities and differences
  • Animals follow a pattern of change.

Guiding Questions:

  • How are animals the same and how are they different?
  • How do animals change during their life cycle?
Skills
  • organize (beginning)
  • compare
  • communicate
  • observe
Vocabulary
  • change
  • diversity
  • habitat
  • insect life
  • stages (adult, egg, larva, caterpillar, pupa, chrysalis)
  • metamorphosis
 
GLEs
1.1.1 Understand simple properties of familiar natural and manufactured materials and objects.
1.1.4 Understand that energy keeps things running and comes in many forms.
1.1.6 Understand how to sort familiar living and nonliving things.
1.2.1 Understand that familiar things are made of parts.
1.2.3 Know that common materials are made of smaller parts.
1.2.6 Know that living things are made of small parts.
1.2.7 Understand that plants and animals have life cycles.
1.3.8 Know that most living things need food, water, and air.
1.3.10 Know that plants and animals need food, light, and habitat to live.
2.1.1 Understand how to ask a question about objects, organisms and events in the environment.
2.1.2 (2nd Grade) Understand how to plan and conduct simple investigations.
2.1.3 Apply evidence to construct a reasonable explanation using data.
2.1.5 Understand how to record and report investigations, results, and explanations.
2.2.1 Understand that all scientific observations should be reported accurately even when they contradict expectations.
2.2.2 Understand the difference between questions and statements.
2.2.3 Understand that similar investigations may not produce similar results.
3.2.3 Understand how knowledge and skills of science, mathematics, and technology are used in common occupations.
 
Suggested Teaching Schedule
Investigation Week
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1. Mealworms Part 1: Mealworms  
Part 2: Larva, Pupa, Adult - Record Observations  
  Part 3: Life Cycle
SKIP Investigation 2: Wax Worms
3. Milkweed Bugs   Part 1: Milk Weed Eggs  
  Part 2: Habitats  
  Part 3: Growing Milkweed Bugs - Record Observations
SKIP Investigation 4: Silkworms
5. Butterflies   Part 1: Caterpillars  
  Part 2: Chrysalises
  Part 3: Butterflies
6. Other Insects OPTIONAL
  Part 1: Crickets
Order Ant Farm   Part 2: Ants
Locate a source for aquatic insects     Part 3: Aquatic Insects
 
Additional Notes
Getting Ready to Teach

Overview Folio:
• To get a Big Picture of the module see pages 18 and 19
• Read the Science Background on pages 3-6 to build your understanding

Material Folio:
• Be sure to read over the material section and check your kit for items
• Some items are included in the kit that might be listed as supplied by the teacher
• Be sure to check on the material preparation for lessons, read pages 6-11
Investigations

Investigations: These are the lesson plans and all include the following ...
• Investigation at a glance (page 2-3)
• Background for the teacher (p.4-5)
• Teaching Children About… (p.6-7)
• Investigation Lesson Plans
• Interdisciplinary Extensions

Assessments

A suggested assessment schedule is located on the last page fo the assessment section of the binder

Formative Assessments

Teacher Observation:
Include anecdotal notes and student interviews (see sheet no. 1 in the Assessment Duplication Masters section).

Student Journals:
To assess content understanding (see the Getting Ready section in the Investigations to see what to look for in journal entries).

Student Sheets:
Sometimes there are sheets that are not included in the student journal. These sheets are completed during the investigation and will provide information on student learning (suggestions on how to score sheets is provided in the Getting Ready section of the Investigations).

Assessment Checklist:
A checklist is included to record information on assessments. The first checklist provides a space to record scores on journal pages ( ü, +, or -) and the second checklist provides a space to record progress throughout the Science module (see page 5 in the Assessment section for best times to score these goals).

Summative Assessments

End of the Module Assessment:
Copies of the Summative Assessment are included in the Assessment Duplication Masters section of the binder. Be sure to read page 7 and 8 of the Assessment section for directions on the assessment and acceptable answers.

Portfolios:
Information about portfolio assessment is also available in the assessment section of the binder on pages 10 and 11.

Contact Tracy Dabbs with any questions or concerns.
tdabbs@be.wednet.edu