Education for, in and about the Frontenac Arch Biosphere

PROGRAM OUTLINE (2 HOURS)
This program involves a study of insects and other invertebrates found in the forest and field environments, Emphasis is on classification and comparison of the insects mainly found in the field environment and such invertebrates as slugs, sowbugs, and centipedes found in the forest environment.

EXPECTATIONS-
Expectations addressed include –
Demonstrate an understanding of ways in which classification systems are used to understand the diversity of living things….
Identify and describe the characteristics of invertebrates, and classify invertebrates into phyla (e.g., sponges, worms, molluscs, arthropods)

INTRODUCTION-
A brief review of the difference between invertebrates and vertebrates using a mammal skeleton and a turtle shell and insect models sets the stage for a focus on invertebrates. The phyla which can be found locally are reviewed using pictures and plastic models and classifying each according to group, phylum, class , and species, e.g. group - invertebrate, phylum- annelid, class- worms, species- earthworm.

ACTIVITIES-
After a brief presentation on the phyla, worms and molluscs, we concentrate on the biggest phylum, the arthropods, reviewing briefly the characteristics of the classes many legged, crustaceans, arachnids, and insects.
The characteristics of the biggest class, insects , are demonstrated by dressing a student in an insect costume.
A game of "Insect or Not" is played to have students identify plastic models or pictures by phylum, class and species or sub-species.

COLLECTION AND OBSERVATION-
Students work in pairs collecting invertebrates in the meadow environment. They then do a worksheet on the characteristics of one invertebrate they collected. A discussion and sharing of the different invertebrates collected is then done with the group.
Students next collect invertebrates in the forest environment. Discussion and sharing is then done to compare the kinds of invertebrates found in the forest with those found in the meadow. (Generally the meadow environment yields insects and arachnids while the forest environment has more non-insect invertebrates such as slugs, worms, centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs.)
As the invertebrates collected are shared, the classification of each is reviewed.