Bugs in Balance
Lesson Plans
Grades5, 6, 7, 8Biology
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Provided by KidsGardening
What it is
- This lesson has students investigate garden insects and food webs to see a garden as a complex ecosystem and habitat.
- Students research a beneficial insect, complete an Insect Profile Worksheet, and compile a class food web that shows how so-called pest insects serve as food for beneficial insects.
Teaching tips
Classroom Implementation:
- If possible, go outside to find some insects that live in your school yard, so students can observe them up close; make sure to teach students to follow safe handling techniques for insects.
- Use the questions about who assigns pest and beneficial labels to prompt discussion of perspective and ecosystem balance, including what happens when a species has no natural check.
Preparation:
- Teachers need to sign up to the KidsGardening newsletter to be able to download the resource.
Related Resources:
- Use this video about insects to dive deeper into insects' ecological role and the way art can be used to raise awareness about endangered insects.
- Read this adapted peer-reviewed article about how mealworms can make a sustainable milk substitute to explore other services that insects can provide to humans.
From the scientist review
In this resource, students learn about bugs in gardens. The lesson explains that gardens are habitats for bugs and that a variety of bug types can help reduce pests and provide other benefits. The lesson also encourages students to consider how their actions can affect an area over the long term, not just in the moment. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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