Cugno_Science+Lesson

Science Lesson Plan: (Second Grade Comparing and Contrasting Meal-worms and Crickets)

Students will be assessed on their completion of this Venn Diagram:

Student Work:

Future Instruction for Class: The class knew a lot more about meal-worms because they had been working with them for a few weeks. To increase their understanding of the differences in insects the students could study crickets further. They already know that meal-worms go through different stages in their lives. they could be introduced to the stages that crickets go through also. After observing crickets for an extended period of time the students would be able to better compare the two insects because they would be able to record cricket behavior and diet. The students also began observing wax worms in their class. They could compare and contrast the three insects after observing them all for a few weeks. After observing and comparing and contrasting all three insects the students will have a very good idea of how different members of a group can be while still having many similarities.

Future Instruction for Students Sampled: The students were encouraged to make observations about the insects they were observing. They were not required to write complete sentences. I would further instruct these students by asking them to write up a mini report about the similarities and differences they found in the insects. This would help them formulate their ideas and observations into complete sentences and help them practice organizing their ideas into paragraphs. This report would include their observations as well as their sketches. I think asking the students to create a report to summarize their ideas would be a really good way for all of the students to pull together what they have learned and share it with others in a more organized way.