The Big Bug Book Shane Chinni, Erica Meyer, Brenna Coglan, Katelyn Wheat

GLE standards (Science): Strand 3: Characteristics and Interactions of Living Organisms1. There is a fundamental unity underlying the diversity of all living organisms Concept E. Biological classifications are based on how organisms are related Scope and Sequence – Classification of Plants and Animals a. Explain how similarities are the basis for classification (e.g., insects have 6 legs…) c. Classify animals as vertebrates or invertebrates (e.g., insects are invertebrates)

GLES (Math): Strand 1: Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems and processes of measurement Concept A: Determine unit of measurement Scope and Sequence 3 rd grade -*identify, justify and use the appropriate unit of measure (linear, time, weight)

Overview of Mini-Lesson: Students will develop an understanding of scale and measurement by exploring the book, which features bugs and real life objects for comparison (all shown actual size) Students practice measuring skills and will create a scale drawing of a bug of their own choosing (based on its reported size)

Phase of the Learning Cycle: Engage – Show pictures (scaled so all are the same size) on the Smartboard and ask students to guess how big these “bugs” are in real life and how they compare in size – Bug “War” – Students are given cards with everyday objects and bugs (from the book) and in pairs decide which is bigger (e.g., A Walking Stick or a Pencil?) (Answer: A Walking Stick!)

Phase of the Learning Cycle Explore – Students practice measurement skills by estimating and discussing how to measure the bugs using standard units – Some bugs are not straight-bodied, so they’d have to strategize ways to measure head to tail (e.g., such as using a string to curve around)

Phase of the Learning Cycle Extend – Science: Doing research on another bug (not featured in the book) – Math: Creating a scale diagram of the bug that is actual size

Connections: Math class: Measurement instruction – making comparison, using models of measuring units, using measurement instruments Icks & Yuks: The book provides a “safe” way to observe bugs and discuss “icks” How do you know science is going on? Going beyond a “textbook” portrayal of science Literacy in the Learning Cycle: Trade books can be used throughout the learning cycle Reading discussion last Thursday: Entomology Museum would be a great follow-up!