This site is a specific lesson which is active and hands on. The objective is to teach students about bees and pollenation. My class loved the lesson because they feel like real scientists collecting data. It is also a good chance to integrate a math lesson. This lesson plan uses cooperative learning to teach students about the characteristics of arthropods.
Students learn the four categories of arthropods and then piece together a puzzle in each group.
It is a good chance to compare and contrast the different types of insects, and the kids enjoy working in groups. This lesson plans reinforces writing skills, research ablities, and knowledge of insects. The students will select an insect that they would like to know more about and research it in order to write a report. They even provide internet sites which will help the students start their research, and questions to answer while gathering information for the report. This makes a good culminating assignment for an insect unit.