Silkworms Lessons

silkworms

lesson plan

Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
1	What is a silkworm? Brainstorm ideas and record for future reference.	Examine prior learning	Discuss whether a silkworm is an animal. Justify your reasons for how you classified them.	Silkworm eggs and a large, continuous supply of Mulberry leaves. [Click here for helpful hints / information]	2	Thinking: uses thinking for exploring possibilities and presenting particular point of view with reasoning. Communicating: sharing these ideas with others.
Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
2	The students wrote any questions they had on large sheets of paper stuck up around the room. I scaffolded the question starters to encourage a variety of questions and to assist them in their thinking. Copies of questions were given to the students and they cut and sorted them under headings of their choosing. [Click here for question starters and examples of questions]	Knowledge and understanding about silkworms	How have you sorted the questions? Can you state reasons for doing this in the way you have?	Large pieces of paper and textas for recording inquiry questions. Sheets of paper to cut, sort and paste questions.	1,2
Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
Ongoing Activity	The students kept observation sheets. They drew pictures and made comments about size, colour, shape as well as names of the various stages of growth. They used magnifying glasses and microscopes to assist their observations.	Knowledge and understanding of the stages of the life cycle of silkworms. We also discussed the ethics of handling and keeping live animals in the classroom. (ie. Our responsibilities in caring for them and not causing any suffering.)	Product analysis of observation sheets	Microscopes and magnifying glasses.	1,2	Communication: Students can research, collect, plan and organise information and share findings with others.
Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
4	The students chose 2 questions from our list to investigate. (The question sheets remained on the walls for the entire unit. These were continually being added to.) [Click here for proforma used]	To further understanding of silkworms. [Click here for further information on sharing]	Presentation of investigations. [Click here for assessment checklist]	Microscopes, magnifying glasses, Internet, books.	1,2	Thinking: Problem solving, exploring possibilities. Communication: Researching, organising information Futures: Seeing patterns and connections.

The students chose 2 questions from our list to investigate. (The question sheets remained on the walls for the entire unit. These were continually being added to.)