Understanding the Life Cycle of Insects Basic Science Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Basic Science Primary 4 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Subject: Basic Science
Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 9 years

Topic: Changes in Plants and Animals (III)

Sub-topic: Life Cycle of Insects

Duration: 1 hour

Behavioural Objectives:

1. Students will identify some common insects.
2. Students will describe the life cycle of an insect.
3. Students will draw and label the life cycle of various common insects.
4. Students will compare the different stages of an insect’s life cycle.

Keywords: Insects, Life Cycle, Stages, Metamorphosis, Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult

Set Induction:

• Show pictures or a short video of insects at different stages of their life cycle. Ask students if they have noticed similar changes in insects around them.

Entry Behaviour:

• Students should have basic knowledge of insects and their general characteristics.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Pictures or videos of insects at different life stages
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Markers and crayons
• Notebooks and pencils

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

• Discuss with students what they know about insects and if they have observed any changes in insects over time.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Observation
• Drawing and labeling
• Comparison
• Communication

Learning Materials:

• Pictures of insect life cycles
• Drawing materials (paper, crayons, markers)
• Chart of insect life cycle stages

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Basic Science Primary 4

Instructional Materials:

• Pictures and charts of insect life cycles
• Drawing and labeling materials

Content:

1. Identification of Insects:
   • Common insects include butterflies, beetles, and ants.
   • Discuss the basic features of these insects.
2. Life Cycle of Insects:
   • Egg: The initial stage where the insect starts its life.
   • Larva: The stage where the insect hatches from the egg and looks very different from the adult.
   • Pupa: The stage where the insect is in a cocoon or chrysalis and undergoes transformation.
   • Adult: The final stage where the insect emerges fully formed and capable of reproduction.
3. Drawing and Labeling the Life Cycle:
   • Guide students to draw the life cycle of an insect such as a butterfly, beetle, or ant.
   • Label each stage of the life cycle: Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult.
4. Comparing Stages:
   • Discuss how each stage of the life cycle differs in appearance and function.
   • Compare the stages of different insects to understand commonalities and differences.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:

1. The first stage of an insect’s life cycle is the ________.
   a) Pupa
   b) Egg
   c) Larva
   d) Adult
2. In the ________ stage, an insect looks very different from its adult form.
   a) Larva
   b) Pupa
   c) Egg
   d) Adult
3. The ________ stage is where the insect undergoes transformation inside a cocoon.
   a) Egg
   b) Pupa
   c) Larva
   d) Adult
4. The final stage of an insect’s life cycle is the ________.
   a) Larva
   b) Egg
   c) Pupa
   d) Adult
5. A butterfly starts its life as an ________.
   a) Pupa
   b) Egg
   c) Larva
   d) Adult
6. The ________ stage involves the insect emerging from a cocoon.
   a) Egg
   b) Adult
   c) Larva
   d) Pupa
7. The ________ stage is characterized by rapid growth and feeding.
   a) Adult
   b) Egg
   c) Pupa
   d) Larva
8. In the life cycle of a beetle, the ________ stage is where the beetle looks like a small adult.
   a) Larva
   b) Egg
   c) Pupa
   d) Adult
9. An ant’s life cycle includes the ________ stage where it changes into an adult ant.
   a) Egg
   b) Larva
   c) Pupa
   d) Adult
10. The ________ stage is where the insect transforms into its adult form.
    a) Egg
    b) Larva
    c) Pupa
    d) Adult
11. The stage where insects like butterflies have wings is the ________ stage.
    a) Pupa
    b) Larva
    c) Adult
    d) Egg
12. The ________ stage comes after the larva stage in most insects.
    a) Adult
    b) Egg
    c) Pupa
    d) Larva
13. A common insect with a life cycle including an egg, larva, pupa, and adult is a ________.
    a) Butterfly
    b) Dog
    c) Cat
    d) Fish
14. The stage where insects are in a cocoon or chrysalis is the ________ stage.
    a) Pupa
    b) Adult
    c) Egg
    d) Larva
15. The ________ stage of an insect’s life cycle is when it starts to reproduce.
    a) Pupa
    b) Larva
    c) Adult
    d) Egg

Class Activity Discussion 

1. Q: What are the main stages in an insect’s life cycle?
   A: The main stages are Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult.
2. Q: What happens during the larva stage?
   A: The insect grows rapidly and feeds, looking very different from its adult form.
3. Q: How does the pupa stage benefit the insect?
   A: It allows the insect to transform into its adult form within a protective cocoon or chrysalis.
4. Q: Can you name a common insect and describe its life cycle?
   A: A butterfly starts as an egg, becomes a larva (caterpillar), then a pupa (chrysalis), and finally an adult butterfly.
5. Q: Why is the adult stage important for insects?
   A: The adult stage is crucial for reproduction and continuing the species.
6. Q: How do the stages of different insects compare?
   A: While the stages are similar, the appearance and behavior during each stage can vary among different insects.
7. Q: What does the egg stage involve?
   A: The egg stage is the beginning of the life cycle where the insect starts to develop.
8. Q: What changes occur during the pupa stage?
   A: The insect undergoes significant transformation to become its adult form.
9. Q: How does drawing the life cycle help students understand insect development?
   A: It helps visualize and organize the stages of growth and transformation.
10. Q: What is the role of the larva stage in an insect’s life cycle?
    A: The larva stage is for feeding and growing before transformation.
11. Q: How long does each stage of an insect’s life cycle last?
    A: The duration varies by insect species; some stages last days while others can last months.
12. Q: Why do insects need to go through a pupa stage?
    A: The pupa stage allows the insect to develop the features needed for adulthood.
13. Q: How can comparing insect life cycles help us learn about different species?
    A: It shows the similarities and differences in development among various insects.
14. Q: What is one way to observe the life cycle of an insect?
    A: By keeping insects in a controlled environment and monitoring their development.
15. Q: Why is it important to label each stage of the insect life cycle?
    A: Labeling helps in understanding and memorizing the sequence of changes.

Presentation:

1. Step 1: Introduce the concept of the life cycle of insects with examples and visuals.
2. Step 2: Explain each stage of the life cycle in detail and its significance.
3. Step 3: Guide students to draw and label the life cycle of a common insect, such as a butterfly.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the stages of the insect life cycle using pictures and diagrams.
• Assist students in drawing and labeling the life cycle stages.

Learners’ Activities:

• Identify and describe the stages of an insect’s life cycle.
• Draw and label the life cycle of an insect.
• Compare different stages of an insect’s life cycle.

Assessment:

• Evaluate students’ understanding through their drawings and labels of the life cycle stages.
• Discuss their comparisons of different life cycle stages.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What are the four main stages of an insect’s life cycle?
2. Describe what happens during the larva stage.
3. What does the pupa stage involve?
4. How does the adult stage differ from the larva stage?
5. Why is the egg stage important in the life cycle?
6. Can you name an insect and describe its life cycle?
7. How do different insects’ life cycles compare?
8. Why do insects go through a pupa stage?
9. What does the larva stage prepare the insect for?
10. How do you draw and label the life cycle of an insect?

Conclusion:

• Go around and check students’ drawings and labels.
• Provide feedback and ensure students understand each stage of the life cycle.