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Even though they may seem small and insignificant -- and sometimes we complain about how bugs, worms and spiders bother us -- scientists believe that the very survival of the human race may depend on these unique tiny creatures. Find out why as you and your students view the eight video and curriculum programs in the TINY CREATURES series. Using close-up videography, this series focuses on interesting features of butterflies, house spiders, bees, dragonflies, worms, yellow jackets, fairy shrimp and thatch ants, with a special emphasis on how their life cycles in the ecosystem relate to us!
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Teaching objectives, national and state content standards, general print resources and interdisciplinary classroom activities for the series as a whole. SegmentsPeople of all ages, from children to grandparents, participate in a butterfly count to provide population data about a variety of species. Students are introduced to a variety of butterflies, their basic needs, and how a yearly survey is used to help them survive successfully. Length: 7:40 Grade level: 4-7 Learn how several species of house spiders have adapted to living with humans, and find out what strategies these house spiders use to ensure survival. Students are introduced to house spiders. Arachnids have many adaptations that help them survive in a variety of habitats. Length: 10:02 Grade level: 4-7 Investigate the social structure of the honeybee colony and learn how to avoid getting stung. Also, find out why some farmers are hiring honeybees to pollinate their orchards. Students are introduced to bees. The insects produce honey and pollinate crops. A beekeeper explains how to tend a hive. Length: 7:43 Grade level: 4-7 Follow some dragonfly enthusiasts as they head outdoors to study the life cycle and behavior of this ancient insect. Students are introduced to dragonflies, their life cycle and their role in the food chain. Length: 12:29 Grade level: 4-7 Find out how worms are being used as composters for everything from old supermarket produce to cow manure to school cafeteria food waste. Students are introduced to red wigglers. These worms convert decomposing produce into plant fertilizer. Length: 9:46 Grade level: 4-7 Get a close-up look at yellow jackets and their behavior, and find out why pharmaceutical companies need yellow jacket venom. Students are introduced to yellow jackets. These insects build nests using wood pulp. They ingest huge quantities of flies and other pests. In addition, yellow jackets can be collected to create vaccines for people highly allergic to their stings. Length: 7:44 Grade level: 4-7 Discover the diversity of native plant and animal life, including the federally protected fairy shrimp, present in vernal (seasonal) pools, and learn how the geology of an area contributes to the formation of these pools. Students are introduced to vernal pools. These seasonal pools contain
plants and animals from winter through spring, and then dry up in
summer. Oregon's vernal pools contain rare plants and a Length: 10:33 Grade level: 4-7 Through close-up videography, follow the ant trails to find out what a scientist is learning about the organization and behavior of a thatch ant colony. Students are introduced to thatch ants. The insects build nests using interwoven twigs. For food, they harvest honeydew from aphids. Survival depends on each worker constantly tending the nest and collecting honeydew. Interestingly, there appears to be no hierarchy in a thatch ant colony. Length: 8:15 Grade level: 4-7 |
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