Learning activities/Bug Blitz: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == |
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The Bug Blitz is the idea of renowned naturalist and scholar Professor Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University. Students and teachers combine to focus on the issues that surround biodiversity. No prior experience is necessary for this activity. The only requirements are curiosity and collaboration-- and, of course, the XO. |
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Teachers accompanying students on the Blitz have an important role in ensuring it all comes together. Teachers have a particular responsibility to support the organizing their student group before arriving at the Blitz, and ensuring the preparatory work required for the Bug Blitz is completed. During the Blitz, teachers are expected to be fully involved in assisting the student working groups, and supporting the staff and experts working with them. |
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Students will work with each other to collect, describe, record, and compare the living and non-living things in their particular "hot spot." They will identify issues, create new ways to present their information, and deliver messages about knowledge gained. In addition, they will develop a whole new appreciation and respect for bugs. Combining the arts and science in this way will allow students to develop an understanding of biodiversity as well as help their region have a sustainable future. |
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In advance of the Blitz, teachers will: |
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*Help students complete the ‘Pre-Bug Blitz activities’ and ensure they are prepared to participate in the outdoor experience and communal activities. |
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== The Bug Blitz Challenge == |
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Teams of students will work together to collect photos and other evidence of bugs, create a multimedia presentation of their group's journey, and present their finished product to the rest of the class. |
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*Be fully involved with all the field and social activities including walking, navigation, team challenges, conducting activities, working with other teachers in collaboratively supervising students, and assisting with the development of a final day presentation with a group of seven students. |
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=== Activity: Browsing for Bugs === |
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== The Blitz Challenge == |
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#Use [[Browse]] to find a story about a bug. Read the story as a class. |
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Teams of 7 comprising students and teacher will work together to trap and identify bugs, investigate the area, collect photos and evidence of bugs, and create the following products to present to the entire group on the final day: |
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#Work together to describe the bug in the story. Keep a list of new bug words. |
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#On your own, use [[Draw]] to draw a picture of the bug in the story. |
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#Creation of a reflective audio-visual display of photos documenting their group’s journey during the Blitz. |
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#Share your picture with the class, using some new bug words to describe your creation. |
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#Time capsule -- '''Past, present and future'''. Teams decide on one object they would like to include in a time capsule to be buried and explain what commitment they will make to the future. |
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=== Activity: Before the Blitz === |
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#Decide on a location for your Bug Blitz-- any outdoor area will do! Some suggestions include: a schoolyard, a soccer field, a local forest or park. |
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#As a class, discuss the natural features of your Bug Blitz location. |
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#Divide into groups and decide on a "hot spot" for each group. Discuss the natural boundaries of each "hot spot" in each group and as a class. |
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=== Activity: Bug Blitz! === |
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#As a class, take a field trip to your Bug Blitz destination. |
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#Divide into groups according to hot spot and explore the area for evidence of bugs. |
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#Use [[Capture]] to take a photo or video of each bug you see, as well as each significant natural feature. |
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#Use [[Write]] to take notes about each photo and record other observations. |
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=== Activity: Bug Stories === |
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#In groups, share your pictures from the Bug Blitz. |
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#For each bug, use [[Write]] to record its story-- where you found it, what it looked like, and what it was doing. |
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#Use [[Draw]] to draw pictures of any bugs you couldn't photograph but would still like to record. |
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#Use [[Collage]] to create a collage for your group's hot spot. |
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#Use your favorite email application to email your collage to Bug Blitz central. Or, you can use [[Browse]] to upload your collage to this wiki. |
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== Note to Teachers == |
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The E.O. Wilson Foundation is interested in hearing from Bug Blitzes around the world. To send your bug stories to the Bug Blitz central, visit the [http://www.eowilson.org/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3 contact page] of the E.O. Wilson Foundation web site. |
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== Connect with the World == |
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Now that you've held a Bug Blitz in your '''class'''... |
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* Consider holding a Bug Blitz for each class in your '''school'''. |
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* Share the stories from your Bug Blitz with other schools in your '''country'''. |
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* Upload your Bug Stories to a map of the '''world'''. |
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== Participating Classrooms== |
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*Mrs. Drexler's Third Grade Class. Shorecrest Preparatory School, St. Petersburg, Florida. Children worked with partners in the Shorecrest garden to photograph bugs in their natural environment. It was a great opportunity to learn about the macro setting on the digital camera, too. Contact: wdrexler@gmail.com |
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[[Category:Activity ideas]] |
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[[Category:Biology]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:04, 30 March 2009
Introduction
The Bug Blitz is the idea of renowned naturalist and scholar Professor Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University. Students and teachers combine to focus on the issues that surround biodiversity. No prior experience is necessary for this activity. The only requirements are curiosity and collaboration-- and, of course, the XO.
Students will work with each other to collect, describe, record, and compare the living and non-living things in their particular "hot spot." They will identify issues, create new ways to present their information, and deliver messages about knowledge gained. In addition, they will develop a whole new appreciation and respect for bugs. Combining the arts and science in this way will allow students to develop an understanding of biodiversity as well as help their region have a sustainable future.
The Bug Blitz Challenge
Teams of students will work together to collect photos and other evidence of bugs, create a multimedia presentation of their group's journey, and present their finished product to the rest of the class.
Activity: Browsing for Bugs
- Use Browse to find a story about a bug. Read the story as a class.
- Work together to describe the bug in the story. Keep a list of new bug words.
- On your own, use Draw to draw a picture of the bug in the story.
- Share your picture with the class, using some new bug words to describe your creation.
Activity: Before the Blitz
- Decide on a location for your Bug Blitz-- any outdoor area will do! Some suggestions include: a schoolyard, a soccer field, a local forest or park.
- As a class, discuss the natural features of your Bug Blitz location.
- Divide into groups and decide on a "hot spot" for each group. Discuss the natural boundaries of each "hot spot" in each group and as a class.
Activity: Bug Blitz!
- As a class, take a field trip to your Bug Blitz destination.
- Divide into groups according to hot spot and explore the area for evidence of bugs.
- Use Capture to take a photo or video of each bug you see, as well as each significant natural feature.
- Use Write to take notes about each photo and record other observations.
Activity: Bug Stories
- In groups, share your pictures from the Bug Blitz.
- For each bug, use Write to record its story-- where you found it, what it looked like, and what it was doing.
- Use Draw to draw pictures of any bugs you couldn't photograph but would still like to record.
- Use Collage to create a collage for your group's hot spot.
- Use your favorite email application to email your collage to Bug Blitz central. Or, you can use Browse to upload your collage to this wiki.
Note to Teachers
The E.O. Wilson Foundation is interested in hearing from Bug Blitzes around the world. To send your bug stories to the Bug Blitz central, visit the contact page of the E.O. Wilson Foundation web site.
Connect with the World
Now that you've held a Bug Blitz in your class...
- Consider holding a Bug Blitz for each class in your school.
- Share the stories from your Bug Blitz with other schools in your country.
- Upload your Bug Stories to a map of the world.
Participating Classrooms
- Mrs. Drexler's Third Grade Class. Shorecrest Preparatory School, St. Petersburg, Florida. Children worked with partners in the Shorecrest garden to photograph bugs in their natural environment. It was a great opportunity to learn about the macro setting on the digital camera, too. Contact: wdrexler@gmail.com