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Teacher’s notes

• About the Science IS activities

Integrated strands

Science concept

• Spiders have eight legs and two main body parts. Adult insects have six legs and three main body parts.

Nature of Science Theme

Scientists’ observations are influenced by their science ideas…

Scientists look at similarities and differences when classifying. Scientists share their ideas to reach agreement on classification systems.

DSSA Investigation Focus

Carrying out an investigation includes choosing an appropriate approach…

One approach to an investigation is identifying and classifying.

Activity

What you need

• A range of pictures of insects and spiders and, if possible, some actual (dead or alive) examples.

Note: Supporting activity resources are provided below.

Focus

• Are spiders and insects animals?
• What is the difference between spiders and insects? Is there a difference?
• How can we tell the difference between spiders and insects? If we look at examples of spiders and insects, will we be able to tell the difference between them?
• Do the bodies of all insects look the same? Do the bodies of all spiders look the same?
• Do all insects look the same at all stages of their life?

Exploration

1. Discuss the characteristics of a spider with the students.
2. Show them the pictures/examples and get them to sort the items into three groups: spiders, insects, and not sure.
3. Encourage them to share the reasons for the choices they are making.
4. When they have sorted the items, as a class look at each group and help the students to formulate an answer to the question, “What do all the things in this group have in common?”
5. Invite an expert to discuss with the class the items that are in the not sure group, and help them to sort those items into spiders and insects.

Extension

• Draw a poster to show the difference between insects and spiders. Why is it better to know these terms rather than talking about creepy crawlies or bugs?

Reflection

• Why would scientists want to put things into groups?
• How do scientists decide what different groups there are?
• Do we know some other differences between insects and spiders as groups? (For example, diet, life cycle – young/adult forms, most spiders build webs.)
• What patterns might help you to sort out some other groups? (For example, worms, birds, plants)
• Are spiders the only animals to have 8 legs and two body parts? What other animals would also fit into this group?
• When new animals are discovered, how do scientists decide which group they belong to?

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