Carnivorous Beetles in the Classroom!? Oh My! Oh YES!
My students need science center materials and books about insects to help them delve deeper into the mysterious and wonderful world of creepy crawly bugs!
When you think of your elementary school days, what stands out to you? I want my students to remember our classroom's science center(s) teaming with creatures in various stages of their life cycle.
My students love bugs - and they're starting to turn our classroom into a living entomology museum!
I teach at a small school in rural Florida. My classes include many students for whom English is their second language (including one student that has come to us recently speaking no English) and students who have special learning needs. Our fourth grade is departmentalized and I try to do projects & find enough materials to get every child involved. I am amazed at the level and complexity of the conversations they have during project/lab time and try have as many hands-on activities as possible in order to draw out those conversations.
My Project
When students wander into my classroom, they are immediately drawn to our science areas - which house insects, amphibians, and fish. The most exciting of our days is when the kids actually SEE the larva form a chrysalis or a butterfly hatch during class time! We have managed to acquire several terrariums over the last few years, but they are lacking adequate lighting to view the insects.
This project will allow me to add lights so the children can better observe the animals living within our science center habitats and the books will give the students a resource on their level to research the animals we have in the classroom.
Our "carnivorous beetles" (as I call them until students discover that lady bugs are a type of beetle!) are beginning to make their pupae, but we are struggling to see everything taking place. The lights will be added to the bug terrariums we have so we can properly view what is taking place within.
In the past, I've students have used encyclopedias to research insects and create a life cycle craft/report. However, this year I have more students with a wider range of reading abilities. In order for this project to continue, we need resources to reach all students. The books and DisneyNature DVD have been carefully selected to serve as resources to reach all of my learners - from my high ones that need to be challenged, to my lower readers that need the science content brought to them on their reading level, to my non-English speaking students that need the content brought to them in their own language.
As our class becomes a mini-museum and students have resources on their levels, students become experts on the insect(s) of their choice and become guides for visiting classes!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Keough and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
