Dogs, cats, horses and other bigger animals become so common to the eyes that we have become so familiar we tend to take them for granted. But bugs fascinate children because they are small creatures and are designed differently especially in the legs department. Those bigger animals have 4 legs, well, most of them. That fact is also common and familiar to us. But bugs have more than 4 legs. In fact, some of them have 6 legs and even more!

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVIDBRINNEN

Wouldn’t it fascinate you if you see a dog with 6 legs? I bet it would! But I could not think of any big animals, wild or domesticated, with more than 4 legs. Have you? Well, please let me know.

OBJECTIVES

After this lesson, children will:

1. Know different bugs and their characteristics.
2. Understand why and how they are made the way they are.
3. Design a robot model of a six-legged bug and simulate its movement.
4. <<< add your objectives here >>>

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

Animals big and small have existed with different roles to play in this world. Each has its own purpose, unique characteristics and physical attributes. Animals are either predator or prey or both. They are part of what we call The Circle of Life. Animals’ physical attributes are either their weapons or their defense mechanism to survive in this world.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1. Why are animals built the way they are created?
2. How do animals defend themselves from predators?
3. How does one’s physical attribute essential to an animal’s survival?
4. <<< add your essential questions here >>>

STEM APPLICATION

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON.COM

SCIENCE

Biology is a branch in science that studies the life of living organisms including their physical and chemical functions, development and structures. Zoology, however, studies the behavior of animals and their interaction with their environment, how they survive and how they propagate, among other things.

1. Discuss and possibly explain why the physical structures of bugs are different from that of the bigger animals.
2. Explore with the children how the unique design of these bugs help them survive from predators and how to hunt for their food.
3. Discover how bugs differ from each other especially on the number of legs they have and how this is important.

Additional References on bugs:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg17723882-400-six-legs-do-not-an-insect-make/

https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agcomm/newscolumns/archives/OSL/1999/June/061099OSL.html

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-some-insects-need-to-have-6-legs
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/113/2945/663.1

ENGINEERING

All animals have physical attributes that have definitely a purpose based on their designs and structures. Most of the time, these physical attributes are a result of their environment to give them a fighting chance of survival and feed themselves.

Let the kids bear in mind that when they design their robot model, it must conform with its surroundings and natural habitat.

MATH

Surely more legs means faster mobility. Having more legs also allow these bugs to get hold firmly and grab things more than having lesser number of legs. This fact also means that they have stronger lifting abilities and that they can carry weights heavier than they weigh, as in the case of the ants.

<<< add your math applications here >>>

VOCABULARY

Terms to Know. Have students learn the following terms, find the definitions, using them in a sentence, determining the antonym of the terms, and other ways that the students will get to use the words. Real-world application is preferred. Add more words if necessary, according to your own students' needs.

survival, prey, predator, attributes, biology, zoology, <<< add your own vocabulary words here >>>

VALUES EDUCATION

All creatures are created equal. Equal in the sense that they all have the ability to hunt for food, defend themselves from predators, and survive.

With this in mind, showing respect to all creatures would be the kindest thing to do. Showing kindness by not bothering these bugs may just be the right thing to do to avoid retaliation.

We, humans, are created above all creatures, given the ability to reason, to think logically, and to think right.

NOTE TO CONTRIBUTORS: Please add your contributions to the reply/comment section. You may choose which part of the lesson plan you want to contribute to effectively. If you feel there is a need to add another section, please do suggest, as well. Thanks to all contributors! Cheers!

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