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Garden Bugs: Friends or Foes?

Grade 8Environmental Science3 days

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The 'Garden Bugs: Friends or Foes?' project is designed for 8th-grade students to investigate the roles of insects in the garden ecosystem. Through a series of engaging entry events and portfolio activities, students explore how beneficial and harmful insects impact plant health and ecosystem stability. The project encourages students to use research and simulation tools to analyze insect life cycles and interactions, develop sustainable management strategies, and gain insight into the environmental factors affecting insect populations. Ultimately, this project aims to enhance students' understanding of ecosystem dynamics and the importance of biodiversity.

InsectsEcosystemGardenBeneficial and HarmfulSustainabilityBiodiversity

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we distinguish between beneficial and harmful insects in a garden, and how do their interactions with plants and environmental factors influence the health and sustainability of the ecosystem?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What role do insects play in the ecosystem of a garden?
How can the presence of certain insects affect plant growth and health?
What methods can be used to identify beneficial and harmful insects in a garden setting?
How do environmental factors influence the population and behavior of garden insects?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Identify and differentiate between beneficial and harmful insects in a garden setting.
Analyze the impact of insect interactions on the overall health of the garden ecosystem.
Evaluate environmental factors and their influence on the population dynamics of garden insects.
Develop strategies for promoting beneficial insects and managing harmful ones in a sustainable manner.

NGSS - MS Life Sciences

MS-LS2-3

Primary

Construct an argument that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.Reason: Students will investigate the interaction between beneficial and harmful insects in the garden ecosystem, analyzing how these interactions affect overall ecosystem health.

MS-LS2-2

Primary

Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms in a given ecosystem.Reason: The project focuses on understanding insect roles within the garden ecosystem, predicting how these roles impact plant life.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1

Supporting

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.Reason: Students will need to support their analysis and classification of insects with evidence from their research.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1

Supporting

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.Reason: The project will require discussions and collaboration on how to identify and manage different insects within the ecosystem.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Bug Detective

Students find an unusual 'bug' kit on their desks containing magnifying glasses, specimen collection jars, and a mysterious journal entry about a bug invasion. The journal hints at a balance between helpful and harmful insects, sparking curiosity about ecosystem roles.

Garden Ambush

A simulated 'emergency broadcast' announces an invasion of bugs in the school garden. Students must form rescue teams to investigate, identifying which bugs are threats and which safeguard the plant life, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

Secret Life of Garden Bugs

Students receive anonymous letters from 'the bugs' detailing their own stories and roles in the garden environment. This narrative invites perspective-taking, encouraging them to empathize with the bugs’ ecological importance and the unseen battles in a garden.

Bug MythBusters

Students walk into the classroom to find various 'bug myths' posted around the room, such as 'All bugs eat plants.' Their task is to investigate these statements, debunk myths, and uncover the truth about insect life cycles and their ecological roles.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Bug Role Detective Diaries

Students become detective authors, creating diary entries from the perspective of their chosen garden insect. This activity helps students understand the role specific bugs play in garden ecosystems.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a garden insect to research and write about.

2. Research the insect's life cycle, diet, and role in the ecosystem utilizing science texts and online resources.

3. Write a diary entry as if you are the insect, detailing your daily interactions with plants and other insects.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA diary entry from the perspective of a garden insect, outlining its role in the ecosystem.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS - MS Life Sciences by helping students construct arguments about insect roles and interactions. Supports Common Core Standards by using textual evidence in diary entries.

Activity 2

Insect Influence Maps

Students will create visual maps illustrating the positive and negative impacts specific insects have on garden ecosystems. This activity helps visualize how various insects influence plant health and ecosystem stability.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select an insect and gather information on its interactions within the garden ecosystem.

2. Use a graphic organizer to outline these interactions, such as pollination, predation, or causing plant damage.

3. Create a visual map showing the flow of influence between the insect, plants, and other organisms.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual map highlighting the relationships and impacts of an insect within the garden ecosystem.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills NGSS - MS Life Sciences standards by constructing explanations of insect interactions. Also meets Common Core Standards by requiring research and visual organization of textual evidence.

Activity 3

Simulated Bug Population Dynamics Tracker

In this simulation-based activity, students virtually track the population dynamics of garden insects using digital tools and data sets. This exercise allows them to understand the influence of environmental factors without setting up physical traps, aligning with a modern, data-driven approach to ecosystem study.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Access and explore an online simulation or data set that models insect populations and their interactions with environmental conditions.

2. Record simulated data on insect populations over time, noting virtual weather changes and plant health indicators provided in the simulation.

3. Analyze the simulated data by observing correlations between environmental factors and changes in insect population dynamics.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report that uses simulated data to analyze the correlation of insect population dynamics with provided environmental factors.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligned with NGSS - MS Life Sciences standards by simulating the evaluation of environmental factors affecting insect populations. Supports Common Core Standards through collaboration and data analysis in a virtual setting.

Activity 4

Garden Guardian Strategies

In groups, students devise sustainable garden management strategies to enhance beneficial insects while controlling harmful ones, cultivating skills in problem-solving and collaboration.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Identify beneficial and harmful insects based on prior research and class discussions.

2. Collaborate with group members to brainstorm sustainable strategies that enhance beneficial insect populations.

3. Design a poster or presentation showcasing these strategies and explaining how they maintain garden ecosystem health.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA group presentation of sustainable garden management strategies involving insect control.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets NGSS - MS Life Sciences and Common Core Standards by fostering discussions and constructing arguments on managing ecosystem health.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Garden Insect Ecosystem Exploration Rubric

Category 1

Research and Understanding

Assessment of students' ability to research insects and their ecosystem roles, utilizing scientific texts and resources.

Criterion 1

Insect Research Quality

Measures the depth of research and understanding about the chosen insect's life cycle, diet, and ecological role.

Exemplary

4 Points

Conducts thorough and comprehensive research. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the insect's life cycle, diet, and ecological role, incorporating diverse and credible sources.

Proficient

3 Points

Conducts thorough research. Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the insect's life cycle, diet, and ecological role, using credible sources.

Developing

2 Points

Conducts basic research. Shows a partial understanding of the insect's life cycle, diet, and ecological role, with limited sources.

Beginning

1 Points

Conducts minimal research. Displays limited or inaccurate understanding of the insect's life cycle, diet, and ecological role.

Criterion 2

Evidence-Based Analysis

Assessment of student's ability to use textual evidence to support their analysis of insect roles and interactions in the ecosystem.

Exemplary

4 Points

Utilizes a wide range of textual evidence to create a compelling analysis of insect roles and interactions, demonstrating exceptional critical thinking.

Proficient

3 Points

Uses sufficient textual evidence to support analysis of insect roles and interactions, demonstrating clear understanding.

Developing

2 Points

Provides limited textual evidence and basic analysis of insect roles and interactions, with emerging critical thinking skills.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to provide textual evidence for analysis, showing minimal critical thinking.

Category 2

Creative Communication

Assessment of student's ability to creatively express their understanding and ideas through diary entries, visual maps, and presentations.

Criterion 1

Diary and Map Creativity

Measures how creatively students express the perspective of an insect and illustrate its ecological role through diary entries and maps.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates highly imaginative and detailed diary entries and maps that vividly portray the insect's perspective and ecological role.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates imaginative and detailed diary entries and maps that effectively convey the insect's perspective and ecological role.

Developing

2 Points

Creates basic diary entries and maps that capture the insect's perspective with some detail and creativity.

Beginning

1 Points

Creates minimal diary entries and maps with limited detail and creativity, struggling to convey the insect's perspective.

Category 3

Collaboration and Strategy Development

Assessment of student's ability to work collaboratively and develop strategies for sustainable garden management.

Criterion 1

Collaboration Effectiveness

Measures the student’s ability to collaborate with peers effectively in developing sustainable insect management strategies.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates leadership and exceptional collaboration skills, contributing valuable ideas and fostering a positive group dynamic.

Proficient

3 Points

Works well within a group, participating actively and contributing useful ideas to the development of strategies.

Developing

2 Points

Participates in group activities, offering some ideas and contributions to strategy development.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to participate effectively in group activities, offering minimal contributions or support.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on your learning journey in this project. How has your understanding of the roles of insects in a garden ecosystem changed?

Text

Required

Question 2

What was the most surprising thing you learned about insect interactions within a garden?

Text

Required

Question 3

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel in your ability to distinguish between beneficial and harmful insects in a garden?

Scale

Required

Question 4

Which portfolio activity did you find most engaging and why?

Multiple choice

Optional

Options

Bug Role Detective Diaries

Insect Influence Maps

Simulated Bug Population Dynamics Tracker

Garden Guardian Strategies

Question 5

How can the strategies you developed in the 'Garden Guardian Strategies' activity be applied to real-world gardening?

Text

Optional