Lesson 2.1: Life Cycle

NGSS

Objective

Students will learn about the life cycles of insects and be able to differentiate complete from incomplete metamorphosis. They will learn key vocabulary related to incomplete metamorphosis. Students will be able to connect their learning about milkweed bug life cycles to the life cycles of other living beings.

Materials

Per Student:

• Colored pencils or markers
• Life Cycle Worksheet*

*This is in the journal

Prep

1. Fill a couple large cups with tap water and a few large cups with sunflower seeds. Set aside to be used by the students when they need to fill up their food and water cups.
2. Pull up the slides.

Procedure

Introduction:

5 Minutes: Life Cycles of Insects

1. Ask the class if they know what the term "life cycle" means.
2. As a class write out the life cycle of humans on the board or over-head projector. This will be used to connect students prior knowledge to what they will be learning that day.

Explanation:

2-5 Minutes: Explanation of the Activity

1. Have students pull out their journals. Go to the page with the life cycle of a  milkweed bug for students to fill out. Explain that you will work together to complete this worksheet.
2. An example is shown below.

Activity:

10 Minutes: Life Cycle Worksheet

1. Use the slides to assist in teaching about the cycles.
2. Have students sit to listen and watch as the instructor goes through a few slides comparing and contrasting incomplete and complete metamorphosis. 

• These slides will start with an image of the butterfly life cycle (complete metamorphosis).

   3. Place the life cycle worksheet on the over-head projector (or whatever is available) to help students fill in the blanks. The example is below. 

Optional: Students may draw the stages in the boxes instead of or in addition to writing the stages.

4.When you are done filling in the blanks. Have students identify the similarities and differences between the two life cycles.

5. Conclude the lesson by having students compare complete and incomplete metamorphosis to the life cycle of humans that you created at the beginning of the day and to other animals.

6. Point out how all living creatures have life cycles. They have some differences, but all have the following:

• Birth
• Reproduction
• Death

10 Minutes: Milkweed Bug Life Cycle Stretches

1. Use the google slides , "Milkweed Bug Stretches", to teach about incomplete metamorphosis through movement. Talk through each stretch and demonstrate for students. (The slides are linked below.)

Closing:

10 Minutes: Cleaning and Care/Observations

1. Pass out role tags to each table group and pull up the last slide on this section.
2. Have the "Supplier" from each table group grab their containers from the insulated coolers and bring them carefully to their table.
3. Have students carefully change and remove the plastic portion cups from the containers.
4. Have the "Waterer" and "Feeder" change the water and sunflower seeds.
5. Remind the "Escape Watch" students to use the paintbrushes to keep the insect in their containers.
6. Have students place the clean food and water cups back into the containers.
7. Give students about 5 minutes to write their observations. Encourage them to work with their table group to fill out this section.
8. Once students have completed their observations, ask them to clean up their space and have their "Supplier" return trays to the coolers according to labeled temperature.

Beyond the Experiment

• As students learn about life cycles, incorporate science into story time!

Reading Related to Milkweed Bugs

• Link to print Insect Life Cycle Cootie Catcher:

Insect Cootie Catcher

• Bill Nye: Life Cycle Video (23 Minutes)

This video goes more in depth about life cycles of plants and animals