Amazing Insects Lady Bug Line

grasshopper A Web Quest for 3rd Grade (Insects)

Designed by:

Ashley, Heather, Anne, & Ally
astagg1@lsu.edu, hmeesey1@aol.com, arobic6@aol.com, allyson20@aol.com

Introduction / Task / Process / Closing / Evaluation /Conclusion

Introduction

Insects play a valuable role in our lives, and we need to realize their importance to our lives. At one time or another all of us have squashed that creepy, crawling creature. But what if we are destroying an important part of our environment?

Our mission, while in the science laboratory, is to recreate a day in the life of a bug. The crazy professor has supplied the ingredients and tools.

But wait! What is wrong? What is happening? Why are the lights blinking? Why are you changing shapes and becoming an insect? Don’t be afraid. The crazy professor will guide you to safety after you experience a day in the life as a bug. Your mission is to choose an insect and live one day as that insect. Good luck, and after the mission is complete the crazy professor will change you back to your human form!

Task

Your overall task is easy! Decide which of the insects shown you would become while in the laboratory. You will locate facts about that insect and write a report to share what you have learned. Once you have gained this knowledge, you will select one project about your insect to complete. This work will be your key to return to normal. Have fun and learn how it would feel to spend A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BUG!

The Crazy Professor needs you to do your best work so you can return to your regular appearance at the end of this project. Read the instructions to find a step by step process. Use the link or links provided to help you in your task.

Now let’s get going…A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BUG is a short time.

Process

Your transformation to the insect of your choice is complete at this point. Below you will find resources providing information about that insect.

Explore the site for the information you need and take notes.

STEP #1:

All Insects: visit here and locate your species.

http://www.ivyhall.district96.k12.il.us/4th/kkhp/1insects/bugmenu.html

http://www.denniskunkel.com/

http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/

Other sites you may enjoy visiting about your particular insect should also be explored. Feel free to crawl or fly around to any others you may uncover.

Ladybugs:

http://claraweb.co.santa-clara.ca.us/parks/kidslbug.htm
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegallery/lady/

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/FlorisES/bugs/ladybug.html

Bees:

www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bees

http://www.greensmiths.com/bees.htm

Butterflies:

http://www.mesc.usgs.gov/Butterfly/butterfly.html

http://webmesc.mesc.nbs.gov/butterfly/butterfly~hotlist.html

Beetles:

http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/beetles/scarab/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/sahara/wildlife/scarab.htm

Ants:

http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/INTRODUCTION/Gakken79E/Page_02.html
http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/ants.htm

Mosquitoes:

http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/kids/school/insect.htm

Grasshoppers:

www.earthlife.net/

http://www.ris.net/~lawnman/clickfacts.html

Cockroaches:

www.yucky.com

Don’t forget your school library for additional information!

STEP #2:

Create a report using the facts and information you have gathered. This should include development life cycle, names of body parts, area where found, benefits or problems caused, and typical length of life. Any other important information may also be included.

Your science report should be written in your own words, not copied. It can be done neatly on loose-leaf paper or typed in Times Roman size 14 double-spaced.

STEP #3:

Locate all other species in your class similar to yourself and share information and things you learned. You may even enjoy reading each other’s work.

STEP #4:

Locate at least 2 species in your class that are different than yourself and share information. Again, you may enjoy reading their work. Note taking at this point may come in useful so you can remember some of the information.

STEP #5:

When sharing and note taking has been completed, now is the time to begin the activity that will allow you to return to your student body.

Use site http://www.123child.com and select the Activity Index button and locate your insect. Read through the various choices and select the project you would most enjoy completing.

Closing

Now everyone has something different to bring to the Crazy Professor. You will be responsible for setting up your project to share with the rest of us. Be sure to spend some time deciding how to explain your project and what you have learned. Remember---this will lead you to your key back to your human form!

Evaluation

You and your classmates have done a lot of hard work and spent a lot of time researching, reading, gathering information, and completing reports and projects. Now is the time to put that learning into one giant key for your return. Your success depends on this stage. On a clean sheet of paper, each class member is to list 5 facts learned during this WebQuest. The facts may be about your particular species, but should include at least 2 facts from other species. Make sure to be specific in your information and tell why you thought it worthwhile to know. Turn these sheets in to the Crazy Professor so she can create the key for your return.

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Organization	Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.	Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.	Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well constructed.	The information appears to be disorganized. 8)
Internet Use	Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic and provides several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic and provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic, but no details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Sources	All sources for information and graphics are accurately documented in the desired format.	All sources for information and graphics are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format.	All sources for information and graphics are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format.	Some sources for information and graphics are not accurately documented.

Conclusion

The Crazy Professor is glad to see you in your human form. Think about the world of insects. Where do they live? What stage in their life did you most enjoy? What do they like to eat? Think about their relatives. Would you like to one day return for a reunion to spend another DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BUG?