Dragons of the Insect World
Download Dragons of the Insect World Complete set of Lessons Plans (pdf format)
Lesson 1 Dragons of the Insect World (Click here for complete
Lesson)
Overview/Objectives:
Have you ever seen a "dragon" fly? What is a dragonfly
and where have you seen them? The dragons around wetlands don't breathe out fire but they have many other fascinating
traits, including great flying ability. These three lessons focus on the fascinating physical and behavioral adaptations of
dragonflies. Students start with general observations of the adults in lesson one, become familiar with larva (nymph) and
adult anatomy in lesson two, and then study a single species - the Whitetail Dragonfly - in lesson three. This common wetland
visitor is used as a model to help students develop inquiry skills needed for investigating other organisms.
- Students
discuss ways they think scientists learn about animals
- Students share their knowledge about insects and specifically
dragonflies
- Students prepare their dragonfly notebooks
- Students describe dragonfly behavior and habitat
- Students
use observations to construct questions and write about dragonflies
Lesson 2 How Dragonflies Grow-Up (Life Cycle) and Their Parts
(Anatomy) (Click here for complete lesson)
Overview/Objectives:
What is the life cycle of a human? How is the life cycle of a
human similar to and different from that of a dragonfly? Do dragonflies grow the same body parts as other animals? In this
lesson students study the life cycle and anatomy of both dragonflies and damselflies. They investigate the process of metamorphosis
and distinguish between dragonflies and damselflies at nymph and adult stages.
- Students produce a model
of metamorphosis by recording evidence of dragonfly life cycle stages
- Students create a growth graph by measuring
similar nymphs over time and categorize nymphs into early, middle, or late stages of development based on size
- Students
become familiar with the anatomy of dragonflies and damselflies
Lesson 3 What is that Whitetail Dragonfly Doing? (Click here for
complete lesson)
Overview/Objectives:
We know that animals must find food, keep from being food, and
successfully mate in order for the species to survive. But how important is having a territory and how do different animals
communicate to other members of their species that "you have trespassed upon my territory?" How do humans communicate
with each other? Do we mostly talk? Are our facial expressions, hands, and body posture important in human communication?
Because we are a highly verbal species we may overlook important visual communication clues in the animal kingdom. Students
can begin to appreciate the subtleness of animal interactions by sorting out some of the visual displays of a single dragonfly
species. The observation skills they develop have broad application for other animals and will hopefully encourage students
to ask questions and apply their skills to other species, including their own. We encourage you to involve students in the
lesson extension on Understanding What Your Dog is "Saying" - it may well prevent injury by a beloved pet
that is confused by the hodgepodge of verbal commands and actions of a naïve family member.
- Students refine
observation and note taking skills
- Students focus on the behavior of a single dragonfly species
- Students help
design and conduct behavior experiments
