Lesson 2.2: Life Cycle

NGSS

Objective

Students will be able to identity and create a model for the 5 nymphal stages or instars of a Milkweed bugs life cycle. Students will learn about the stages and be able to observe the insects change in state and record their findings.

Materials

Per Table Group:

• Red, orange, and black colored pencils and/or markers.
• Glue sticks

Per Student:

• Milkweed Bug Life Cycle Matching Gameboard and pieces*
• Small envelope or paper clip (to hold the game pieces)

*Link to print pieces at bottom of the page. The game board is in the journal.

Prep

1. Place red, and black colored pencils and/or markers at each table group. Place glue sticks at each table as well.
2. Print out 1 Milkweed Bug Life Cycle Matching Game sheet for each student. Cut out the pieces and place them in an envelope or use a paper clip to hold them together. Set aside.
3. 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.
4. Pull up the Milkweed Bug Experiment slides.

Procedure

Introduction:

5 Minutes:  The Life Cycle of a Milkweed Bug

1. Students will listen and participate while the instructor uses the slides to reinforce the term incomplete metamorphosis and complete metamorphosis.
2. Next part of the slides is Nymph or Adult game. First, identity visual differences between nymph and adult Milkweed Bugs while using gestures. The gestures are below with descriptions.

• Color

Hand motion: Run your hands down the sides of your body from your shoulders towards the floor, as if you are showing off an outfit.

• Size

Hand motion: Hold you hands far apart and keep your arms straight to motion that something is this big. This motion is the same as the one people use to show "how big" something is.

•  Wings

Hand motion: Hold your arms out wide and flap them up and down as if you have wings.

(Repeat these hand motions as many times as needed with your students to help them remember what it looks like as a Milkweed Bug goes through incomplete metamorphosis)

4. The teacher will then show examples on the slide of Milkweed Bugs in different stages, having the students identify whether they are nymphs or adults.

5-10 Minutes: Milkweed Bug Stretches

1. Pull up the "Milkweed Bug Stretches" slides and have students follow along as you use your body to represent the Milkweed Bug life cycle.

Milkweed Bug Life Cycle Stretches

Explanation:

1-2 Minutes: How to Play Milkweed Bug Life Cycle Matching Game and Puzzle

1. Tell students that they will now play a matching game and puzzle with their table group to learn the stages of a Milkweed Bug's life cycle.
2. Each student will get their own envelope which has pictures of the milkweed bug from egg to adult.
3. The students will match the picture to what stage they think it is.

Activity:

5-10 Minutes: Playing the Milkweed Bug Life Cycle Matching Game and Puzzle

1. Students will play the matching game with their table groups.
2. When all the students are finished, show the class the correct answers.
3. Have them glue the pieces into place on the game board after going over the correct answers as a class.

• The game board is in their journal.

Closing:

10-15 Minutes: Cleaning and Care/Observations and Drawings

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

• Life Cycle Reading

Reading Related to Milkweed Bugs for 3rd Grade

• Bill Nye Video: Life Cycles (23 Minutes)

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

 References

Link to print Milkweed Bug Life Cycle Matching Game Pieces: