At the Science Center, students use a magnifying glass to observe a spider's legs, eyes, and other body parts. They make a drawing of the spider's body parts that they observed. Students classify pictures or plastic toys as spider or not spiders. There are two main features that distinguish spiders from insects - spiders have only two body parts and eight legs, whereas insects have three body parts and six legs. During this discussion, show pictures or show live spiders and insects to demonstrate the differences.
Students report on their observations of the spiders.
They illustrate their report with drawings in their journals. Students count the number of spaces that the spider can move, depending on the number that comes up on the die. Students predict the number that will come up on the die. Make thumbprint for abdomen, other fingerprints for cephalothorax and make legs with marker or crayons. Have Eight Legs .