Insects for Kids

Do your students love looking for bugs and insects outside? If so, why not tap into their curiosity and have your students expand their knowledge of insects? Teach Starter has created an Insect Investigation – Research Task for your students to explore insects while also learning about life cycles and food chains.

To complete this research task, students will choose an insect and fill in their insect profile. Students will examine the external structures, such as the number of legs, if it has wings, how many body parts it has, etc. Students can then draw a picture of their insect inside the container. Then, students can complete the graphic organizers for the insect’s life cycle and food chain. Dependent on the chosen insect, students have the option to complete a 3-stage or a 4-stage life cycle organizer.

Through this activity, students will identify the physical characteristics of their chosen insect, investigate its life cycle, and create a food chain with predators and prey.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your science lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this research activity to enhance learning through guided science groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

If there are students who need additional support, this activity can be completed in a small group, with a peer, or in a 1-on-1 setting.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need an additional challenge, encourage students to choose an additional insect to research.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

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Food Webs vs. Food Chains – Instructional Slide Deck

Learn the difference between a food chain and a food web with this 18-slide instructional slide deck.

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Food Chains & Food Webs – Vocabulary Booklet

Reinforce science vocabulary by creating a booklet to reference when studying food chains and food webs.

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Food Chains & Food Webs – Vocabulary Posters

Display this set of science vocabulary posters in your classroom when learning about food chains and food webs.