In this Web site, Smithsonian Institution presents a set of lesson plans focused on spiders, which are "an endlessly fascinating and a great school subject because they offer plenty of teachable topics that span the curriculum." The lesson plans, designed for grades 3-8, focus on allaying fears and misconceptions about spiders while having students explore spider biology and natural history. The...
As one of the most distinguished science institutions in the United States, the Field Museum in Chicago has over 4.1 million preserved insects in its collection. It is the fifth largest collection in North America and it also includes 8.3 million specimens preserved in alcohol or on microscopic slides. On this site, visitors can search these vast holdings, which are divided into six separate...
Everyone knows about the Guinness Book of World Records. But does everyone know about the Book of Insect Records? Based at the University of Florida and maintained and edited by Thomas J. Walker, the work "names insect champions and documents their achievements." The book is divided into chapters, so visitors can use the Table of Contents to get started on their journeys. In total, there are 40...
Let’s Talk About Insects is a fun educational program designed for nine to 11-year-old students by Schools Online at the University of Illinois Extension. The program utilizes numerous slides with cartoon-like illustrations, photographs, text, and audio narration to explore the world of insects. The program was developed to help students “gain an appreciation of insects; learn how insects grow and...