
Invertebrates
Levels 3 and 4

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The Organism: Make detailed scientific classifications of some organisms.
Te Rauropi: Ka whakarōpū whāiti ā-pūtaiao i ētahi rauropi.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 3
Investigate subgroups within large groups, using observed differences in external characteristics.
Students can investigate the special features of insects, spiders, and crustaceans and describe how these are important for their survival.
Levels 3 and 4
Students can distinguish groups of both distantly and closely related insects, spiders, and crustaceans by investigating how their external characteristics differ.
Level 4
Investigate and classify closely related living plants and animals according to easily observable features.
Coming Soon!

Related Topics
Resources

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.

Suzy really bites into this investigation. How do apples grow? Do you know? Why don't you join Suzy and find out?
Level
1-2
Type
Video
Apples: How do apples grow?
Suzy's World
Suzy really bites into this investigation. How do apples grow? Do you know? Why don't you join Suzy and find out?

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.

Suzy is all a Buzz about this question. She thinks the answer will be really sweet! Join her and it won't bee long before you know why bees make honey!
Level
1-2
Type
Video
Bees: Why do bees make honey?
Suzy's World
Suzy is all a Buzz about this question. She thinks the answer will be really sweet! Join her and it won't bee long before you know why bees make honey!

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 “Spying on Starfish”, students are introduced to the work of Dr Miles Lamare, who tested a new tagging technique that could be used on sea stars. Although tagging marine animals is a common practice, tagging a sea star presented Dr Lamare and his team with several challenges.
Level
4
Type
Book
Connected 2012 Level 4: ‘Spying on Starfish’
Ministry of Education NZ
In “Spying on Starfish”, students are introduced to the work of Dr Miles Lamare, who tested a new tagging technique that could be used on sea stars. Although tagging marine animals is a common practice, tagging a sea star presented Dr Lamare and his team with several challenges.

Scientist Hannah Rainforth investigated kākahi in the Whanganui River to find whether the evidence supports claims by local kaumātua that kākahi have nearly disappeared.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2014 Level 3: ‘Counting Kākahi’
Ministry of Education NZ
Scientist Hannah Rainforth investigated kākahi in the Whanganui River to find whether the evidence supports claims by local kaumātua that kākahi have nearly disappeared.

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.