Introduction
Scope and Sequence Chart
Classroom Activities
Grades 3-8
Grades K-2
Great Resources
Related Web Sites
Books
Videos
Software
Correlation to National Standards
Great Resources
Related Web Sites
Images of
Insects and their Relatives
This is a splendid, colorful collection of photos from a variety of sources.
Gordon's Entomological Home Page
Information, book reviews, illustrations, links and much more, compiled into a well- organized
site, appropriate for middle school students and up.
The Insects Home Page
A children's version of Gordon's Entomological Home Page (above) for elementary students.
Experience Entomology
The Entomological Society of America has organized this site with activities and resources for
junior entomologists and their teachers.
Katerpillars
and Mystery Bugs
A fun youth page from the University of Kentucky's entomology department. Kid-friendly
activities and readings (including "Lifestyles of the Beautiful and Bizarre") and a teacher's
resource list are included.
My Insects Page
No matter what kind of insect your students want to learn more about, they'll find a link to
more information on this terrific hub site. Each link is annotated and tells what grade levels will
find it most appropriate.
Iowa State
University's Tasty Bug Recipes
As seen on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Iowa State's entomologists have cooked up some
delicious and nutritious entomological delicacies (Chocolate Chirpie Chip Cookies, anyone?). A good
starting point for a discussion about the importance of insects in the human food chain in other
parts of the world.
Insects
Another nice hub site from the University of Florida, with links to a wide variety of insect
pages appropriate for students.
Amazing
Insects: An Internet Project
Extend your students' learning by collaborating across the Internet about your insect
investigations. This is a great model for setting up your own project.
Iowa State University's Insect
Image Gallery
Entertaining and informative, this gallery includes a images, movies and dissection sequences
of common and exotic insects from around the world.
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Books
Bugs! (Rookie Reader Series)
by Patricia McKissack and Frederick McKissack. Children's Press, 1988. (grades K-2)
Bugs! Exploring the World of Insects: The Equinox Guide to Insect Behavior
by Adrian Forsyth. Firefly Books Ltd., 1992. (grades 5 and up)
How to Hide a Butterfly: And Other Insects
by Ruth Heller. Putnam, 1992. (grades K-3)
Insect Metamorphosis: From Egg to Adult
by Ron Goor and Nancy Goor. Atheneum Books for Young People, 1990. (grades 2-6)
Insects (Golden Guide Series)
by Clarence Cottam and Herbert S. Zim. Western Publishing, 1988. (all ages)
Insects
by Howard Facklam and Margery Facklam. 21st Century Books (NY), 1994. (grades 5-8)
Insects Do the Strangest Things
by Leonora Hornblow and Arthur Hornblow. Random House Books for Young Readers, 1990. (grades
2-4)
Scientific Encounters of the Insect World
by Lynn Embry. Good Apple, 1988. (grades 4-7)
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Videos
Ants and How They Live.
AIMS Multimedia; color; 18 minutes. (grades 6-8)
Two friends follow a colony of ants to its source and construct a simple homemade ant farm to
study the complexities of the insect community's social structure and the intricacies of an ants'
body and functions. To order, call (800) 367-2467.
Backyard Bugs.
National Geographic Video; color; 15 minutes. (grades K-2)
This video encourages active exploration of insects by following a young boy as he explores
the wonders of his yard. He discovers the body parts and functions of various insect types, the
process of metamorphosis, and how insects interact with man and the environment. To order, call
(800) 368-2728.
Bees and How They Live.
AIMS Multimedia; color; 18 minutes. (grades 7 and up)
Go inside a beehive to see firsthand the way a colony functions. Bee behavior is fascinating
to observe, and the importance of bees to our environment is depicted. To order, call (800)
367-2467.
Benefits of Insects.
National Geographic Video; color; 15 minutes. (grades 4-5)
The ecosystem of the insect world is shown in detail, with explanations of the food chain
between insects and other small animals, pollination, metamorphosis, and insects' beneficial
oxygenation and fertilization of the soil. To order, call (800) 368-2728.
Dr. Cockroach.
National Geographic Video; color; 18 minutes. (grades 7 and up)
Close-up photography gives students a fascinating view of the courtship, mating, and
egg-laying of these insidious insects. The video also gives an in-depth study of the life cycle,
behavior and evolutionary history of cockroaches and debunks some of the more popular beliefs about
infestation. To order, call (800) 368-2728.
Flies (Places to Live Series).
Altschul Group; color; 15 minutes. (grades 4 and up)
Students will see the magnitude of the myriad varieties of insects on earth and the diversity
of places they choose to live. All the important anatomical and functional aspects of common and
exotic insects are discussed. To order, call (847) 328-6700.
Insect Diversity (Biology Form and Function Series).
Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Videos; color; 24 minutes. (grades 7 and up)
This video covers a wide range of information about the diverse world of insects, including
life cycles, reproduction, feeding habits, behavior, habitats, camouflage and adaptation, and more.
A wide range of insect specimens is studied.
The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in its Pants; The Magic School Bus and The Butterfly Bog.
PBS Video, 1994, 1995. color; 30 minutes. (grades K-6)
In her inimitable style, Miss Frizzle leads her class through zany adventures to zero in on an
anthill and a butterfly bog to learn "the inside story" about these creatures and their habitats.
To order, call (800) 344-3337.
What is Pollination? A Sticky Question.
MBG Learning Network; color; 16 minutes. (grades 1-4)
The process of pollination is an excellent example of the intricate interaction between plants
and animals. This video encourages active exploration by students by depicting youngsters
performing their own investigations and predicting outcomes. To order, call (314) 968-1570.
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Software
BioLab: Fly.
Pieran Spring Software; Macintosh CD. (grades 6 and up)
The basic principles of genetics come alive, with pre- and post-lab activities to enhance the
learning experience.
Butterflies of the World.
ReMedia; Macintosh/Windows CD. (grades 5 and up)
Information on the 15 main butterfly families is presented, along with chapters on life
history and ecology.
Jr. Nature Guides Series: Insects.
Forest Technologies; Macintosh or Windows CD. (grades 3-8)
This CD-ROM and book set provide beautiful illustrations in an interactive experience that
helps students learn about many different ecosystems and habitats where insects live. Active
student projects are demonstrated.
One Small Square: Backyard.
Virgin Sound & Vision; Macintosh/Windows CD. (grades 3-7)
Students can access topical information or specific data on any backyard creature with this
program, as well as play games and select from 12 outdoor experiments. Results can be recorded and
printed in an interactive journal.
SimAnt.
Maxis; Macintosh or MS-DOS diskette. (grades 4 and up)
Design your own ant colony! This challenging simulation lets kids discover the biology,
physiology and sociology of ants in a compelling hypothetical scenario.
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