McNeese State University

Department of Education Professions

Lesson Plan Template
Name Abigail Hollier Email abigail_hollier@yahoo.com Phone (337) 396-8957
Primary Subject Area Science Grade Level 4-8
Title of Lesson Insect metamorphosis Approximate duration 3 class periods

Overview of Lesson
Insect MetamorphosisSome organisms experience dramatic changes in form and appearance as they grow, a process we call metamorphosis. This
program illustrates metamorphosis at its most spectacular, as it occurs in the world of insects. Students learn about the two main types of insect
metamorphosis, incomplete and complete, as well as the stages involved in each type. Extraordinary close-up video images show examples of each
type of metamorphosis, following a praying mantis, a monarch butterfly, and other insects through their life cycles and mesmerizing transformations.
Essential Question(s)
What does a butterfly have in common with a frog?
How does a caterpillar turn into a butterfly?
Why do we never see baby bees or ants?
What kind of adult insects will maggots and mealworms become?
Prior Knowledge Expected of Students

Common Core Learning Standards

National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences provides guidelines for teaching science in grades K12 to promote scientific
literacy. To view the standards, visit this Web site: http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/overview.html#content. This lesson plan addresses the
following national standards: Life Science: The characteristics of organisms; Life cycles of organisms; Organisms and environments; Populations
and ecosystems; Diversity and adaptations of organisms.
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) McRELs Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K
12 Education addresses 14 content areas. To view the standards and benchmarks, visit http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp. This lesson
plan addresses the following national standards: ScienceLife Sciences: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical
environment; Understands biological evolution and the diversity of life Language ArtsViewing: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand
and interpret visual media
Educational Technology Standards

Additional Standards
 Interdisciplinary Connections

Student Outcomes
Define metamorphosis.
Describe the two types of metamorphosis and their stages.
Name insects and their immature stages.
Create a life cycle display for one insect species.
For older students: Write a one-page report about the insect species.
Lesson Procedures
Pre-Planned Seed
Time Step-by-Step Lesson Procedures with Embedded Coding
Questions
1. Review information from the video with the class. What do we call the process during which an
organism experiences dramatic changes in form as it grows? (metamorphosis) What are the two
major types of metamorphosis? (incomplete and complete) What are the three stages of
incomplete metamorphosis? (egg, nymph, adult.) What do we call large quantities of insect eggs
deposited in one place? (an egg mass) What does the nymph stage of an insect resemble? (a
miniature version of the adult) What are the primary activities of all nymphs? (to eat and grow)
Besides eating, what else must nymphs do in order to grow? (moltshed their hard outer
covering to emerge as a larger insect) How many times do insect nymphs molt? (Some molt
eight times or more.) When do insects undergoing incomplete metamorphosis develop their
wings? (after their last molt) What insects undergo incomplete metamorphosis? (mantises,
walkingsticks, roaches, aphids, damselflies, grasshoppers, katydids, water bugs, and others.)
What are the four stages of complete metamorphosis? (egg, larva, pupa, adult.) What must a
butterfly larva discard before pupating? (its old skin) What is another name for a pupa?
(chrysalis) When a butterfly first emerges from its chrysalis, what must it do? (pump blood from
its abdomen to its wings) What insects undergo complete metamorphosis? (most insects,
including moths, butterflies, beetles, wasps, flies, ants, and bees.)
2. Ask students to name insects and the names of their larva or other immature stage. Record their
responses and read any below not offered by students: butterflies (caterpillars) dragonflies
(nymphs) flies (maggots) moths (caterpillars) mosquitoes (wrigglers) beetles (grubs,
mealworms.)
3. Challenge students to learn more about one insect species and its form at each stage of its life
cycle. Have them conduct research to choose an insect for a display they will create and ask them
to consider these questions: What are the insects common name and scientific name? Where
does it live? What kind of habitat does it prefer? What is the insects life cycle? Does it undergo
incomplete or complete metamorphosis? What does the insect look like at each stage of its life?
 Does the insect benefit or harm the environment or the activities of humans? Have students use
print and Web resources to conduct their research.
4. For all students: When students have completed their initial research, ask them to choose one
insect species about which they will create a life cycle display. For the display, have students
draw, trace, or copy pictures of the insect in its adult form, egg and nymph forms (if they have
chosen an insect that goes through incomplete metamorphosis), or its adult form, egg, larva, and
pupa (if they have chosen an insect that goes through complete metamorphosis). Tell students to
record the insects common name, scientific name, and range (where it lives), which they should
be able to indicate on a classroom globe or map.
5. For older students: In addition to creating a display as described above, ask students to write a
one-page report that answers these questions: To which insect family does it belong? Where does
it live (its range)? What kind of habitat does it prefer? What does it eat? Do any insects or other
animals prey upon it? At any point or points in its life cycle, does the insect have a major effect
on the environment or on humans?
6. Ask students to present their life cycle displays to the class, indicating their insects home range
on a map or globe and summarizing other information about the insect, including at least three
interesting facts.

Teacher Materials Student Materials Technology Resources References

Insect Metamorphosis
video Computer with
Internet access Print
resources about
insects, their larvae,
and life cycles
Relevance/Rationale

Exploration, Extensions, and Supplemental

Assessment Criteria for Success

Accommodations and Access for All

 Post-Lesson Reflection

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/teachersguides/pdf/lifescience/rb/insect_metamorphosis_tg.pdf