Creative Lesson Plan - Inquisitive Insect

Name: Ann McCall
Creativity Lesson Plan: The Inquisitive Insect
Grade Level: First
Subject Areas: Science, Math, Art
 
Objective: Students will be able to identify and locate the basic parts of an insect; head, thorax, abdomen, antennas, and wings. They will use geometric shapes and other materials to create their own insect.
 
Standards:
Science: NGSS LS1.A: All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air.
Math: CCSS.Math.Content.1.GA.2 Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape.
Art: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic work.
 
Materials:
Construction paper
Markers
Tissue paper
Glue
Scissors
Pencils
Art Images of insects
 
 
Lesson Procedure:
Activate prior knowledge by asking students to close their eyes and visualize an insect. Ask them to think about the different parts that make up the insect they are imagining. Ask students to share out some ideas with the whole class.

Show a basic image of an insect to the class. Point out the main parts such as the head, thorax, abdomen, wings, legs, eyes, antenna, etc. Image https://www.pinterest.com/pin/511017888939171323/

Show an artistic watercolor image of different insects. Have students talk to a partner about what they notice regarding the parts of the insect, shape, and color. Image https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/set-colored-watercolor-beetles-isolated-on-1241433934

Review the shapes triangle, square, rectangle, circle and oval. Review the terms vertical and horizontal.
 
Distribute a piece of construction paper to each student.
Ask students to draw their insect’s head using a square, triangle or circle.
Ask them to draw their insect’s thorax using a horizontal or vertical oval.
Ask students to draw their insect’s abdomen using a rectangle or an oval.
Ask students to make a design in their insect’s abdomen by drawing shapes of their choice in the abdomen.
Ask students to draw the number of eyes their insect has.
Ask students to color their insect using any colors they choose.
Ask students to draw six legs on their insects.
Ask students if their insect has wings. If they do distribute small pieces of tissue paper and have the students glue it onto their insect to represent its wings.
Ask students if their insect has antennas and if so have them draw them onto their insect.

Assessment
Once all students have completed their insect art, display the art work for all students to see. Have students explore the art work with a partner by talking about the different parts of an insect. Review the artwork to see if each student has included head, abdomen, and thorax in their art.

Website: https://www.learnitbyart.com/steam-resources/lesson-plans/inquisitive-insects