Bug-scope Lesson of Bug-scope Lesson of InsectsInsects

By: Mary Therese LairdBy: Mary Therese Laird

March 6, 2007March 6, 2007

Educ 140Educ 140

Actaeon Beatle Actaeon Beatle This is the picture I drew of a beetle before I knew all the information This is the picture I drew of a beetle before I knew all the information

about beetles. I knew that beetles were round and had horns from seeing about beetles. I knew that beetles were round and had horns from seeing them in real life. As I looked at the images online I realized I was pretty them in real life. As I looked at the images online I realized I was pretty correct with my drawing. correct with my drawing.

Acteon Beatle InformationActeon Beatle Information Of all the beetles of the South American tropics, the Actaeon, Of all the beetles of the South American tropics, the Actaeon,

is one of the largest and most magnificent in appearance. Its is one of the largest and most magnificent in appearance. Its body is very broad often measuring to be measuring 70mm body is very broad often measuring to be measuring 70mm across. The armor of the adult male beetle is very smooth to across. The armor of the adult male beetle is very smooth to the touch and it is thick and solid and they also have thick the touch and it is thick and solid and they also have thick curved horns. Male beetles use their horns in big battles with curved horns. Male beetles use their horns in big battles with each other over females or territory. Beetles of this size have each other over females or territory. Beetles of this size have few predators and are successful simply because they are very few predators and are successful simply because they are very large. large.

They feed mainly on rotting wood, especially the trunks of They feed mainly on rotting wood, especially the trunks of dead cocoanut palms. Some suck soap from the trees and juice dead cocoanut palms. Some suck soap from the trees and juice from ripe fruit. Many of these beetles are nocturnal and are from ripe fruit. Many of these beetles are nocturnal and are strongly attracted to light!strongly attracted to light!

Image of insect from Bugscope.comImage of insect from Bugscope.com

This is an image that was taken This is an image that was taken off bugscope.com. This is a great off bugscope.com. This is a great site because you are able to see up site because you are able to see up close all the details of this insect. close all the details of this insect. Through this picture, you can see Through this picture, you can see details that one wont be able to details that one wont be able to see if they were looking at a see if they were looking at a regular microscope because they regular microscope because they can not zoom in as much as the can not zoom in as much as the site does. Looking at the picture, site does. Looking at the picture, you can see the scales on the you can see the scales on the claws and the little pieces of hair claws and the little pieces of hair that are coming out of it. that are coming out of it.

Other images of Actaeon BeetleOther images of Actaeon Beetle

OverviewOverview Using bugscope is a very good way to teach a science Using bugscope is a very good way to teach a science

classroom to children of all ages. When using bugscope, one classroom to children of all ages. When using bugscope, one can see up close details that people can normally not see in can see up close details that people can normally not see in real life or even through a normal microscope. The teacher is real life or even through a normal microscope. The teacher is then able to describe to the class what each body part of the then able to describe to the class what each body part of the insect is used for and what the most important parts of insect is used for and what the most important parts of different insects are. A science class is able to have an open different insects are. A science class is able to have an open discussion about the zoomed in insect from bugscope because discussion about the zoomed in insect from bugscope because of the great detail that bugscope gives out through there of the great detail that bugscope gives out through there images. I believe that bugscope is very beneficial and I images. I believe that bugscope is very beneficial and I enjoyed learning about bugscope and the different images we enjoyed learning about bugscope and the different images we were able to see in class. I will definitely use bugscope as a were able to see in class. I will definitely use bugscope as a resource for my science class when I am teaching. resource for my science class when I am teaching.

National StandardsNational Standards TEACHING STANDARD B:TEACHING STANDARD B:

Teachers of science guide and facilitate learning. Teachers of science guide and facilitate learning. Teachers need to focus and support inquiries while interacting with students. Teachers need to focus and support inquiries while interacting with students.

The bugscope lesson is a good way in which teachers are able to interact with The bugscope lesson is a good way in which teachers are able to interact with their students by asking them questions and discussing the insects as a class. their students by asking them questions and discussing the insects as a class. Teachers will also be able to walk around and let the children work on their Teachers will also be able to walk around and let the children work on their drawing of insects on their own, but be able to help their students out whenever drawing of insects on their own, but be able to help their students out whenever they are in need. they are in need.

TEACHING STANDARD C:TEACHING STANDARD C:Teachers of science engage in ongoing assessment of their teaching and of Teachers of science engage in ongoing assessment of their teaching and of student learning.student learning. - In the bugscope lesson students are able to use student data, observations of - In the bugscope lesson students are able to use student data, observations of teaching, and interactions with colleagues to reflect on and improve teaching teaching, and interactions with colleagues to reflect on and improve teaching practice. In bugscope, teachers are able to asses students by quizzing the practice. In bugscope, teachers are able to asses students by quizzing the students what they learned and they can assess them by having a class students what they learned and they can assess them by having a class discussion. If the students end up doing not so well in the discussion and the discussion. If the students end up doing not so well in the discussion and the quiz, then the teacher will know she needs to improve her explanation of the quiz, then the teacher will know she needs to improve her explanation of the bugscope and the images of the insects. bugscope and the images of the insects.

Technology/Additional LiteratureTechnology/Additional Literature

Technology is a very important factor in teaching in today’s world. There is a lot of Technology is a very important factor in teaching in today’s world. There is a lot of technology that teachers can use when teaching science. One of the most common technology that teachers can use when teaching science. One of the most common forms of technology used in science is the microscope. Other examples include, the forms of technology used in science is the microscope. Other examples include, the internet, thermometers, probes, and computers in general. internet, thermometers, probes, and computers in general.

There are many books about insects. Children should be able to find a particular There are many books about insects. Children should be able to find a particular book they like abuot insects after they did the buscope lesson and be able to take a book they like abuot insects after they did the buscope lesson and be able to take a few notes on the book and describe the book to his/her classroom. Below are few notes on the book and describe the book to his/her classroom. Below are examples of two books about insects that children can read. examples of two books about insects that children can read.