To introduce important ideas for our students' insect studies. To learn about children's initial understanding of these ideas: change, growth, behavior, and structure/function of body parts.

We expected that students would come with knowledge of insect facts such as number of legs and number of body parts. We thought students would be able to label some insect body parts. We wanted students to learn which features are common to all insects. Our main focus was on learning 1) what children thought about insect features and their functions, and 2) how children could document, ask questions, and offer evidence about these features. Would they separate insects from spiders or keep them in one group? Would they question the purpose of a specific body part? Would they relate any observable behavior to an attribute?

The following outline and documentation of these initial lessons provides the reader with a picture of how we attempted to meet our stated goals. Lesson overviews first offer brief descriptions, timelines and lists materials used. Following the overviews are notes about the initial lessons providing more details about the tasks, conversations and offers samples of childrens?work. A summary is also included as a reflective piece to help us think about our initial goals and plans for the future.

• Lesson One:Insect Discussion and Walk

• Lesson Two: Collecting Insects

• Lesson Three: Drawing and Sorting the Collection

• Summary

The purpose of this lesson was to collect insects at locations students identified on their observational walk. Armed with the necessary tools, children located and captured insects. These insects were brought back to the classroom for use in lesson three.

• 40 minutes collecting insects with nets, jars, bug boxes, and specimen containers

We returned to the prairie to collect insects. Children were given insect jars, specimen containers, nets, etc. to catch and hold insects they caught. They were also reminded to use caution when trying to catch insects that may sting. The teachers assisted as needed to catch insects out of their reach or to point out things they may have overlooked.

The children eagerly caught, studied and shared their treasures. Insects were sometimes freed when a more interesting one happened along. Older students studying the plant life in the prairie eagerly helped our younger students catch insects.

Several dragonflies were hovering above some plants and these became the focus of many of the childrens?attention. Mrs. Penner captured one that was resting on the stem of a plant.

The children caught anything within reach. At this time any living, small animal was an insect. During the thrill of the catch, specific criteria, such as # of legs, was ignored.

Again teachers engaged students in conversations that helped them focus on the task at hand. Questioning students about the name of the specimen captured, counting legs and naming parts was an intentional strategy to help kids focus on attributes and sighting evidence for ideas they had.

At the end of the collection time children carried their containers and nets back to the classroom. The children looked at the insects frequently over the next several days.