Raising insects and observing their life stages is an activity that also develops an increased awareness of environmental factors which can affect a natural cycle. Students brainstorm what materials they can find at home that will provide the appropriate conditions. They collect shoe boxes for shelter and put grass or straw material inside with sticks and branches.
Students design their habitats and carefully label all necessary parts and materials.
They write an explanation which includes the reasons they believe this habitat will provide an acceptable environment for their insect. Once students have done the necessary research about insects and the conditions needed for survival, they are given larvae to care for during their life span. Students realize a heightened sense of responsibility because it is their insect. Students have to construct their habitat and demonstrate that the insect will have all its life requirements met. Mr. D gives them their larvae which they name immediately and draw pictures of its first stage.