The Importance of Insects: A Writing Lesson
Lesson Plan
2 hours 10 minutesGrades3, 4, 5English Language Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Joan Newkirk
About this lesson
In this language arts lesson, students learn about threats to insects and actions to support their survival.
Inquire: Students read and analyze “Hurt No Living Thing” by Christina Rossetti to learn about insects and people’s perceptions of them.
Investigate: Students research why insects are important and why they are threatened.
Inspire: Students write and draw about what they have learned in a class book to be shared with younger students.
Preview the lesson plan
Better on a bigger screen? Open it in its own tab.View Lesson Plan
Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught in spring so students can go outside to observe insects firsthand.
- The Investigate and Inspire sections of the lesson could be accomplished over several days to allow for adequate research time.
- This lesson may alleviate the common misconception that insects are pests and impart that they are important to our survival.
Prerequisites
- Students should have a basic understanding of insects as a classification of animals and some understanding of the role of insects in the environment.
- Students should understand the definition of a habitat, what organisms need to survive, and basic terminology related to this concept.
- The following resources offer additional information about climate change effects on insects:
- Maine Launching Urgent Effort to Survey Insect Population Following "Stunning" Declines Globally
- Students may need to look at how picture books are constructed for younger students.
- Talk to your school librarian about resources for research, if desired.
Differentiation
- Students can observe insects in their schoolyard.
- Students can make models of insects with recycled materials to show their adaptations (e.g., camouflage coloring, defensive pinchers, sensitive antenna).
- Research can be done in pairs or small groups.
- As an extension, a suggested read aloud is the biography Buzzing with Questions by Janice Harrington, which is about a Black entomologist named Charles Henry Turner. A Reading Guide can be found in the Teacher Document.
From the scientist review
Students will have the opportunity to investigate the value of insects, the kinds that are typically found in Maine, their threats, and strategies for safeguarding them. We have studied the lesson materials and are certain that this lesson passes our credibility review for science.
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
About the teacher writer
Joan Newkirk
Joan Newkirk (she/her) is a retired elementary educator with 32 years of teaching experience. She holds a Master of Literacy from the University of Southern Maine and spent her career inspiring young learners through engaging, hands-on instruction across all elementary subjects.
