What can we learn about insects from their nests?

Students will compare and contrast nests from different insects and make inferences about the insects’ lives based on observations.

Grade Range (suggested): 3-5

Materials

• Insect nest images
• Graphic organizer or paper and pencil
• Insect images

Engage

1.  Ask students what they already know about insects. Where do they live? What do they eat? etc.
2.  Ask students to share their ideas about whether all insects eat the same things or live in the same places. Can they think of any examples of different insects eating different things? Can they think of a few different types of places insects live? (Such as in trees or under rocks or in the soil.)

Prepare to explore

3. Tell students one place that some insects live are in nests. Today students will look at the nests of different insects, the honey bee, the paper wasp and the mud dauber.
4. They will compare and contrast the nests of each insect. 

Explore

5. Show students the images of the insect nests. Have students record in pictures and words what they notice about each nest.
6. How are the nests the same? How are they different? 
7. Ask students to share what they think they know about each insect just by looking at its nest? (These might include, how big is the insect? Where does it live? What does it use to make its nest, etc.)

Reflect & Share

Have students share with each other or someone at home what they noticed about each nest. Then have them write down one or more questions that they are still wondering about the insects.

Click through to page 2 to access this activity writeup in Spanish.