Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

Scientific Process

• A scientific vocabulary is needed to communicate about the scientific procedure.

• A hypothesis is a testable prediction as to the outcome of a scientific investigation.

• A well designed investigation involves the use of a written plan that identifies the materials to be used, the procedure to follow, and the variables. A plan needs to be followed to make sure all steps in an investigation are completed. Scientists use many tools when conducting an investigation.

• Complete data makes it possible to explain the results of an investigation and compare it with the prediction.

• When data is analyzed, the results can be communicated in a variety of ways.

• Many tools are available to help gather data.

• A written plan must be followed in the correct sequence to make sure it is done the same way each time. (Replication of results.) An investigation should be done more than once to make sure data is accurate.

• Data is only as reliable as the people conducting the experiment.

• Errors can be determined by comparing data with another student or by repeating the investigation.

Living Things

• All things can be categorized as living or nonliving. All living things have basic needs for survival.

• All animals within a species have many common characteristics. Each insect has its own unique characteristics.

• All organisms must consume food to survive. This can be in the form of plants or other insects or animals.

• Living organisms have physical characteristics and structure that are unique to their populations, while individuals exhibit variations within that structure. The habitat of the organism must meet the physical needs

• Some organisms undergo simple or complete metamorphosis within their life cycle.

Technology

• Technology makes it easier to find and communicate information.

• Many different careers involve science or technology.

• Data can be visually represented with labeled diagrams, charts, tables, or graphs. Data can be graphically represented through bar graphs, line graphs, pictographs, or pie charts. Graphs are pictures of numbers.

• Visual or graphic data can be analyzed to predict further change.

• Models make it possible to represent events or objects that cannot be duplicated.

Safety

• There are many safety rules to follow when doing an investigation to keep yourself and others safe.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

Scientific Process

• What common vocabulary should be used when conducting an investigation?

• Why are predictions an important part of the scientific process? How can we make better predictions?

• Why should we follow a plan when conducting an investigation? What tools are available to gather data when conducting an investigation? How does data help us explain our investigation? What are some of the ways we can collect data? How can we communicate the results of our investigation to others? How can we make sure an investigation is done the same way each time? 

Living Things

• What is necessary for all organisms to survive? What is the difference between living and nonliving things?

• What are some specific characteristics of the organisms that allow them to adapt and survive in their environments? What characteristics are common to each of these species?

• What characteristics are specific to the butterflies, mealworms, crickets, and milkweed bugs?

• What structures are specific to insects and what differences exist among the insect populations being studied?

• What do insects eat?

• What is the life cycle of a meal worm, butterfly, cricket, and milkweed bug?

Technology

• How can you utilize technology to gain knowledge and, communicate information?

• What careers use science and technology?

• How can data accuracy be determined? How is data gained and how are experiments replicated accurately?

• How can errors in data be discovered? How can data be visually represented?

• What is the best type of graph for specific data? How does data help make better predictions?

• How can models help complete a scientific investigation?

Safety

• What are safe laboratory techniques?

• What tools are needed to gather the data required, and how are they appropriately used?

Standards 
Highest Frequency Standards High Frequency Standards Other Standards & E-skills

 
Standard 1: Students understand the processes of scientific investigations and design, conduct, communicate about, and evaluate such investigation.
Standard 3:  Life Science:  Students know and understand the characteristics and structures of living things, the processes of life and how living things interact with each other and their environment. Students know and understand the characteristics of living things, the diversity of life, and how living things interact with each other and with their environment. Students know and understand interrelationships of matter and energy in living systems. Students know and understand how the human body functions, factors that influence its structures and functions compared with those of other organisms. Students know and understand how organisms change over time in terms of biological evolution and genetics.
Standard 5: Students know and understand interrelationships among science, technology, and human activity and how they affect the world.
Standard 6: Students understand that science involves a particular way of knowing and they understand common connections among scientific disciplines.

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

• Insects Lessons
• Insects Links

Literacy Connection Resources
Bug Catcher Game - learn to identify insects and the environments they inhabit.
Nonfiction - Read A Spiderling Grows Up, then play the Fact or Fiction Game about spiders.
Fiction - Read or Listen to Diary of a Spider. Learn how spiders are different from insects. Then play the Word Match for vocabulary words.
Literacy Connection: Read the Bookflix audio books Roberto the Insect Architect and Termites and Mosquitos
All About Bees - learn about different types of bees.