In their study of the life sciences, middle school students are making the transition from thinking strictly about individual organisms to developing an understanding of patterns of life found in ecosystems. The National Science Education Standards call for middle school students to analyze the internal structures, chemical processes, and common ancestry of all species, including the arthropods. This collection of web sites helps students to understand how arthropods as a group are alike, yet different, and how they manage to live together in their tiny world.
Arthropods in Their Microhabitats
Have your students get ready for a look at the world from an ant’s-eye-view! Students learn techniques for observing, identifying, and classifying arthropods within a microhabitat. Included in the seven lessons are instructions on how to build a Berlese funnel, how to trap ants for study, and how to make a simple net with fabric. Written for grades 6-10, these lessons are designed to showcase the diversity and variety of arthropods found living together in a given microhabitat.
The Wonderful World of Insects
This site provides both general and in-depth coverage of a variety of arthropods. Students will be fascinated with the facts about insects: the largest and smallest, fastest and loudest, and most tolerant of cold or heat. Several pages are given over to discussing taxonomy, and a key to the orders of insects is included.
Focusing on the Sonoran Desert, this activity is designed to help students identify arthropods found in Arizona: scorpions, ants, beetles, tarantulas, and millipedes. The activity includes background information and a student handout.
Ecology Explorers: Doing Science in Your Schoolyard
Students and teachers in the Phoenix, Arizona, area are given the opportunity to take part in real research led by scientists at this web site. Students learn to use data collection protocols, develop hypotheses, and carry out experiments as they study patterns in urban ecosystems.
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