
Insects, Spiders, and Crustaceans
Levels 1 and 2

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The Organism: Discuss ideas about living things, so as to classify them according to observable differences.
Te Rauropi: Ka whakawhitiwhiti whakaaro mō ngā mea oreore, ka whakarōpū i runga i ngā rerekētanga.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 1
Observe and identify types of common animals.
Students can observe different creepy crawlies and name some of their key features.
Students can share their ideas about how creepy crawlies could be grouped in different ways according to their external characteristics.
Level 2
Students can discuss differences and similarities in various living things that have been broadly grouped according to their external characteristics.
Students can explore and understand the functions of the main parts of creepy crawlies.
The Arts (Dance): Move in response to environmental stimuli.
Mathematics and Statistics (Number and Algebra): Develop a number sense through exploring numbers of wings, feet, segments, antennae.
Mathematics and Statistics (Geometry and Measurement): Identify symmetries in the natural world.
Mathematics and Statistics (Statistics): Interpret the difference between the smallest and largest values, and explain the meaning of clusters or holes in a data display of animals in their local environment.

Related Topics
Resources

How many kinds of animals can you think of? Join Matthew as he investigates the unique features of different creatures around the planet and how they can be organised into a group called the animal kingdom!
Level
1-2
Type
Video
The Animal Kingdom
Everyday Science NZ
How many kinds of animals can you think of? Join Matthew as he investigates the unique features of different creatures around the planet and how they can be organised into a group called the animal kingdom!

If you study insects you’re called an entomologist. You can learn a lot about insects, like how their bodies work, how long they live and what they eat.
Level
1-4
Type
Experiment
A Slice of Apple Fly
Bill Nye The Science Guy
If you study insects you’re called an entomologist. You can learn a lot about insects, like how their bodies work, how long they live and what they eat.

This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062811.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
All About Shells Poster
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062811.pdf

This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371801.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
All About Shells Teacher Guide
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371801.pdf

He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā ākau pōhatuhatu o Aotearoa ki te Raki.
Level
1-4
Type
Te Reo Māori
Aotearoa Ki Te Raki Puka Ārahi Mō Te Ākau Pōhatuhatu
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā ākau pōhatuhatu o Aotearoa ki te Raki.

He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā tapātai one o Aotearoa ki te Raki.
Level
1-4
Type
Te Reo Māori
Aotearoa Ki Te Raki: Puka Ārahi mō te Tapātai One
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
He puka ārahi ngāwari mō ngā kararehe me ngā tipu e kitea noatia ki ngā tapātai one o Aotearoa ki te Raki.

This game is helps people to understand the stresses on animals living on the beach. There is choice involved and a certain amount of luck too. The aim of the game is to survive through to the end without succumbing to a bad end!
Level
1-4
Type
Game
Are you a Survivor?
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
This game is helps people to understand the stresses on animals living on the beach. There is choice involved and a certain amount of luck too. The aim of the game is to survive through to the end without succumbing to a bad end!

Let’s delve into the realm of the Atua Tāne Mahuta and find out who’s living in
your yard. Let’s find out what they eat and what their tracks look like.
Level
1-4
Type
Outdoor Activity
Backyard Tracker
Whenua Iti Outdoors
Let’s delve into the realm of the Atua Tāne Mahuta and find out who’s living in
your yard. Let’s find out what they eat and what their tracks look like.

Look for the following on the beach. Remember not to collect anything that is alive, just describe it.
Level
1-4
Type
Outdoor Activity
Beach Scavenger Hunt
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Look for the following on the beach. Remember not to collect anything that is alive, just describe it.

Our first Bug Corner feature looks at Chrysomelidae or leaf beetles. Learn more about these insects, and why and how they are being used as “biocontrol”, a type of pest control method.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Bug Corner – Leaf beetles
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Our first Bug Corner feature looks at Chrysomelidae or leaf beetles. Learn more about these insects, and why and how they are being used as “biocontrol”, a type of pest control method.

Joe takes you on a journey to discover the wonderful world of bugs!! Find some critters in your backyard & get to know them a little better.
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Bug hunt
Whenua Iti Outdoors
Joe takes you on a journey to discover the wonderful world of bugs!! Find some critters in your backyard & get to know them a little better.

New Zealand is an island nation surrounded by expansive oceans. It is fitting that we have a rich and diverse coastal fauna.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity Book
Canterbury's Marine & Coastal Animals
Environment Canterbury
New Zealand is an island nation surrounded by expansive oceans. It is fitting that we have a rich and diverse coastal fauna.

To become familiar with the coastal environment with a special focus on rock pools and their environment.
Level
1-4
Type
Lesson Plan
Canterbury's Spectacular Rocky Shore
Environment Canterbury
To become familiar with the coastal environment with a special focus on rock pools and their environment.

Centipedes have been on earth for about 450 million years, even before dinosaurs. Centipedes have lots of eggs, are carnivores (they can kill or parlyse their prey with venom-laden claws) and are mostly nocturnal.
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
Centipedes Poster
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
Centipedes have been on earth for about 450 million years, even before dinosaurs. Centipedes have lots of eggs, are carnivores (they can kill or parlyse their prey with venom-laden claws) and are mostly nocturnal.

In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2013 Level 2: ‘Look out for Monarchs’
Ministry of Education NZ
In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.

The islands of Tokelau have been invaded by yellow crazy ants. Scientists are investigating where they are and what can be done about them. By collecting and recording data, they can identify the extent of the problem and figure out the best course of action.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2016 Level 2: ‘An Invasion of Yellow Crazies’
Ministry of Education NZ
The islands of Tokelau have been invaded by yellow crazy ants. Scientists are investigating where they are and what can be done about them. By collecting and recording data, they can identify the extent of the problem and figure out the best course of action.

This article follows a science project conducted by students in three Dunedin schools. The topic – investigating which inner city ecosystem supports the most insects and invertebrates – should appeal to most students. The article demonstrates how to conduct a scientific investigation. It also emphasises the importance of communicating your findings so people can take action.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2020 Level 2: ‘City of Bugs’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article follows a science project conducted by students in three Dunedin schools. The topic – investigating which inner city ecosystem supports the most insects and invertebrates – should appeal to most students. The article demonstrates how to conduct a scientific investigation. It also emphasises the importance of communicating your findings so people can take action.

Why not conduct a scientific survey of the crab population on your local shoreline and develop your student's investigative attitudes.
Level
1-4
Type
Outdoor Activity
Crab Study
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Why not conduct a scientific survey of the crab population on your local shoreline and develop your student's investigative attitudes.

As fish have no visible eyelids (and closed eyes generally imply sleep) and we see them usually by day when they are in motion, this question is always the source of some debate.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
Do Fish Sleep?
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
As fish have no visible eyelids (and closed eyes generally imply sleep) and we see them usually by day when they are in motion, this question is always the source of some debate.

This resource provides ideas and learning experiences to enhance the native and endemic biodiversity in your green space.
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
Enhancing biodiversity in your green space
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
This resource provides ideas and learning experiences to enhance the native and endemic biodiversity in your green space.

Use this resource to experience invertebrates (insects) in your school grounds or another local green space.
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
Experiencing invertebrates in your green space
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
Use this resource to experience invertebrates (insects) in your school grounds or another local green space.