INTRODUCTION: Stranded at the edge of the playground, you are faced with the Case of the Invading Insects.... Everywhere you look there are bugs... centipedes, bees, wasps, ants, spiders, roaches, and lots of "critters" you have never seen before. It is your job to investigate these insects. Find out as much as you can and ease your teacher's mind by letting her know which ones are helpful and which ones are truly "pests." 

THE TASK: You as the Insect Investigator will visit each of the websites below and find the answers to the questions. After completing your research, pick your favorite "Bug" and do a report/slide show using Kid Pix Studio Deluxe.

THE PROCESS: (1) You should visit each Internet site to find the answers to the questions. (2) Once you've collected facts about a variety of Insects, decide on which "bug" you want to do a report on. (3) Organize your research into a final draft and build a glog using Glogster. (4) Present your glog to your class and teacher.

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Visit the "Catching a Swarm" page here...
(1) Name two reasons that a bee becomes aggressive.
(2) When is the best time for a beekeeper to catch a swarm of bees?
(3) How does the beekeeper get the swarm to go inside the hive?
(4) What is the home of a honeybee called?

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(5) How is a bumblebee different from a honeybee?

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(6) What is the state insect of your state?

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(7) What is the color of the monarch butterflies chrysalis?

(8) What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?

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(9) What is entomology?

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(10) Name three insects that live in the desert.

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(11) How do beetles communicate?
(12) Visit the "Bug of the Month" site and in May find out how you can tell if you have termites in your walls?
(13) What is a termite related to?

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(14) Visit "Amazing Roach Facts" and find out how long a roach can hold his breath.
(15) How many species of roaches are there in the world?
(16) How fast can a roach run?
(17) How long can a roach live without his head?

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(18) Name five different spiders and give two characteristics of each. 

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(19) What is a pill bug?

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(20) What do dragonflies do to help humans?

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(21) Click here to find out more information about insects for your research and glog. 

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CONCLUSION: When you have completed this "Insect Investigation WebQuest" you should be able to give "expert" advice to anyone wondering about those critters bugging them.

Book Trailer

The Surrender Tree is a great book written in free verse which is a form of poetry. It is about the wars of independence fought in Cuba in the late 1800s. Check out this book trailer to see if the book interests you!

Can you think of a book that you could make a good trailer out of? Give it a try and post the links below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hklcIf_qos0

Haha

Book Reviews

Have you read any good books lately? Please leave your book reviews here or drop them off in the library. Each week we will feature a student book review, help encourage your classmates to read a new book!

Strategies

This week is all about strategies. Have you ever wondered if there was a better way to take notes? Maybe you are looking for some help with your comprehension or recall? This week we will feature some of strategies to help you do better in school!

Check your vocabulary?

Do you really pay attention to the words in a text that you are reading? What do you do when you come to a word you don’t recognize or don’t know the meaning of? Here is a great way to become more aware of some of the vocabulary you may encounter when reading for homework or just for pleasure.

First, your teacher may provide you with a list of vocabulary words for the lesson or for that unit which you should take note of. Grab a piece of paper and separate into 6 columns, one for the word, one for a +, one for a √, one for a --, then a column for an example, and a column for the definition. Place the words given to you in the word column, then evaluate it, if you know the word and are comfortable with it put a +, if you think you know but are unsure use a √, and if the word is new put a --. Now, when you come across a word while you are reading that you are unsure of you can add them to the chart. This way you can continue to add more information and go back to see what a word might mean if it appears again.

Cornell Notes

Have trouble taking good notes in class? Having trouble decoding what you wrote? Maybe you have never taken notes before and want to start? Cornell notes are and easy and effective way to take notes in class no matter the level. Check out this website that explains how to use Cornell notes, it is quick and easy to read!

http://coe.jmu.edu/LearningToolbox/cornellnotes.html