SAMPLE SNIPPET LESSON PLAN TO:
Complex and Cooperative Ant Behaviors
from "Microcosmos"
Subject: Science/Biology (Insects -- Ants)
Ages: 5 - 12
Length: Snippet: 12 minutes; Lesson: 30 minutes.
Learner Outcomes/Objectives: Students will learn that ants employ complex cooperative behaviors and will retain striking images of these behaviors.
Rationale: It is important for students to understand the complexity and cooperativeness of behaviors that have developed in the insect world. Seeing these behaviors in action will help students understand and remember these concepts.
Description of the Snippet: This is a series of three segments showing ants:
protecting aphids and collecting their honeydew;
sharing water and dragging large pieces of plant material to an underground storehouse; and
fixing their nest after a storm.
Using the Snippet in Class:
Preparation
Retrieve from the Internet the additional film segments and photographs recommended below. Determine which are appropriate for the classes which will see the snippet.
Step by Step
1. Introduction to Segment #1: Tell students that aphids are small insects that eat plants and emit a sweet sticky substance called honeydew. Some species of ants use honeydew for food. Ants will tend the aphids, stroke them to encourage the aphids to emit honeydew, take aphids into their nests during cold weather, transport aphids or their eggs to food plants, and transfer aphids to new feeding sites. Chemicals on the feet of the ants tranquilize and subdue the aphids. Ants store excess honeydew in a separate stomach and regurgitate it for other ants when needed. Ladybugs eat aphids and many gardeners buy ladybugs to release into their gardens to kill aphids. This sequence contains an example of a predatory relationship and a symbiotic relationship.
Start at the beginning of DVD Scene 2 and play it until the beginning of the segment on ladybugs mating.
Closing for Segment #1: Ask students to identify the predatory and symbiotic relationships. This can be in a quickwrite or through class discussion. Diagram the flow of benefits on the board. Then ask students to describe what the activity engaged in by the ant would be called if it was performed in by a human being. Good responses will include: farming, ranching, herding, or nurturing.
FREE SAMPLES OF:
FOUR TYPES OF
LEARNING GUIDES &
LESSON PLANS
MOST SUBJECTS K-12
LEARNING GUIDES to feature films
and documentaries
LESSON PLANS for snippets
and short subjects
SET-UP-THE-SUB using movies, snippets,
and short subjects
TALKING & PLAYING FOR GROWTH
-- with movies for children 3 - 8
Finding Nemo
|
The lesson plan continues with interesting introductions and closings for the next three segments of the snippet. It also includes a set of interesting facts about ants presented in the supplemental materials section. This information is available to subscribers.
Ants are one of the most interesting and successful insects. They fascinate children and adults. This Lesson Plan uses the movie "Microcosmos" to show ants in their natural environment performing fascinating cooperative and complex behaviors.
