Billions of Bugs! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Students will explore the phenomenon of cicadas coming above ground in large numbers.

 

Science Focus:

insects

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, map skills, nonfiction text features

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a life cycle

 

Vocabulary:

cicadas, exoskeletons, brood

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify main topic; RI.2.5 text features; RI.2.7 analyze images; RI.2.10 read informational texts; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations

 

Lexile Measure: 

540L

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Provide students with some background on insects.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "The Wild World of Bugs." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one thing you learned about bugs?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. What predictions do students have about where the cicadas will be coming from?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about what it will look, sound, and feel like when the cicadas are back.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are cicadas, exoskeletons, and brood.

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

Whispers of the Cicada by Ismy Wonders (20 min.)

Celebrate poetry month with this book as you welcome the cicadas back!

  • The “Build an Insect” game reinforces the body parts of insects while letting kids create their own unique bugs!

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the words cicadas, exoskeletons, and brood.

Editor’s Pick: Map Skills (15 min.)

  • Students can explore a map and discover where the cicadas will be coming this spring with the Where Are the Cicadas? skill sheet.

ELA Focus: Nonfiction Text Features (15 min.)

  • Use the Cicadas by the Numbers skill sheet to have students analyze important cicada numbers.

Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on insects:

  • “April Fools’ Insects,” April 2024. Students will identify three insects that trick other animals to survive.
  • “World’s Toughest Bugs,” March 2022. This issue introduces three tough insects and examines their adaptations.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 640L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 450L