GRADE FIVE SCIENCE
Hello Boys and Girls, Have you been having a good holiday? In another few weeks it will be time for school once again. Continue to do lots of reading and if you haven’t, begin preparing for school. If you have any of the text books for your new class start becoming familiar with them.
Last week we saw that invertebrates were very numerous and that they were found everywhere. We also noted that insects were invertebrates. Did you enjoy reading the poem about insects? Read it again then answer the questions which follow. 1. Name three places mentioned in the poem where insects can be found. 2. Identify eleven insects that the poet named. 3. How do insects move?
Let’s continue finding out about insects. There are thousands and thousands of insects all over the world. Where do they live? They live in trees, on the ground, in the soil, in wood, in rocks and so on. Call a friend and together identify other places where insects can be found. Read the poem again. How many insects are mentioned there? Name a few more.
Insects are cold-blooded animals. They are invertebrates and are usually small creatures. Their bodies are divided into three main parts – the head, chest (or thorax) and the abdomen.
The Head On the head there are usually a pair of antennae or feelers. Check for them on a cockroach or butterfly. These antennae help to warn the insects of danger. It is important to note that not all insects have antennae. Name a few of these insects.
Look at the parts of the insect below.
Two eyes are also found in the head. These eyes are compound eyes, made up of many tiny lenses. The mouth parts are usually suited to the manner in which it obtains its food.
The Thorax After the head comes the thorax or chest. On the thorax three pairs of legs (6 legs) can be found. We can also find one pair of wings in the adult stage. Some insects have two pairs.
The Abdomen The abdomen comes after that. Along the sides of the abdomen there are tiny holes called spiracles. It is through these spiracles that the insects breathe. You may sometimes find the part containing the ‘sting’ at the end of the insect’s abdomen. Collect a few insects and examine them to identify their parts. This is exciting, isn’t it? Can you name any insects with stings? Have you ever been stung by any insects? Draw a table like the one below, then complete it. Insects lay eggs. They lay lots and lots of eggs. Can you say why? That’s right; this is so because of their need to survive. You see, their chances of survival are very small because other animals use the eggs as food. Once safe, the eggs hatch into larvae. These larvae (of course once kept safe) may become pupae, and then the adult stage is reached. These stages - egg, larvae, pupae, adult, represent the life cycle (or life history) of the insect.
Label this diagram without checking anywhere else.
How well did you do?
Until next week, find insects, observe them, draw and label them. Have fun. Next week, we will look at the life cycle of insects.