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Grade 2 Science - Unit VIII Overview
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Insects
In the
Insects Unit, students will study the needs of living
things through the use of the FOSS kit "Insects". The
Insects Module provides experiences that heighten
students' awareness of the diversity of animal forms.
They come to know firsthand the life sequences of a
number of insects. In each investigation an insect is
introduced, and students observe structures and
behaviors, discuss their findings, and ask questions.
Students observe life cycles of insects and compare the
stages of metamorphosis exhibited by each species.
Concurrent investigations include mealworms, wax worms,
milkweed insects, adaptations, silkworms, and
butterflies.
Critical Questions:
- What conclusions can you draw by observing the
environmental needs of insects?
- Why do scientists write down what they see, do and
find out?
- What characteristics of insects did you observe
during your investigation?
- How do animals' adaptations affect the way they
live?
- What changes did you observe in the life cycles of
insects during your investigation?
- How do the characteristics of the larva stage of
the insects compare to adult stage?
- How do the characteristics of one insect compare
to that of another insect?
- How did providing for the needs of the insects
effect their growth?
- What changes did you observe in the metamorphosis
of the insects?
Suggested Time Frame: 8 weeks
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Student Performance Expectations |
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Key
Information in the brackets that is not in bold
(8.2A) is the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill (TEKS)
that this objective is aligned to.
Information in the brackets that is in bold
(8.2.11B)
(8.2.12A) (11.2US10A)
is the specific Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
(TAKS- test) objective this objective is aligned to.
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Insect Unit Resources |
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Identify the needs of living
things. Explore protection from heat and cold by a
shelter. Classify animals based on their characteristics.
Explain what a habitat is and how their habitats meet
their needs. Explain how humans have impacted various
animal habitats. (2.5A) (2.6D) (2.8A) |
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Observe Mealworms change to
larvae, to pupae and to adults. Describe the larval
segments, legs and other structures of Mealworms. Observe
the structure and behavior of insects and communicate these
observations through illustrations and writing. Understand
the needs of insects by providing air, food, water and space for
the Mealworms. (2.2A, 2.4A, 2.5B, 2.6D) |
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Observe the wax worm life
cycle from larva, to pupa, to adult, to egg and back to larva.
Learn that some insects make silk. Provide for the
needs of wax worms, such as water, air, food and space. (2.2A,
2.4A, 2.5B, 2.6D) |
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Provide for the needs of
living Milkweed insects: food, air, water and space. Observe
and record the life cycle of Milkweed insects as well as
be able to identify the body parts of the Milkweed insects:
head, thorax and abdomen. Compare the needs of Milkweed
insects to other insects we have studied. Communicate
his/her observations in illustrations and in writing. (2.2A,
2.4A, 2.5B, 2.6D) |
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Observe silkworms hatching,
changing, mating, and egg laying, and communicate their
observations through writing, illustrations, and comparisons.
(2.2A, 2.4A, 2.5B, 2.6D) |
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Observe structures, behaviors
and the complete metamorphosis of butterflies and provide
for their needs. (2.5A, 2.6D, 2.8A, 2.9A) |
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Other insects have common
structures. They have two common types of life cycles, those
with nymphs and those with larvae and pupae. Insects can live
underground, above ground, and in water. (2.5A, 2.6D, 2.8A,
2.9A) |
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