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Stream Creatures: Clues to Stream Health – Session 2

Session 2

Print version of "Stream Creatures: Clues to Stream Health": PDF • Word

Conduct this session in the classroom.

1. Provide each student with a copy of the Macroinvertebrate Fact Sheet PDF • Word.
   
2. Divide the class into five groups, and assign two macroinvertebrates to each group. Give each group enlarged pictures of their macroinvertebrates, labeled with the organisms' names.
   
3. Discuss the headers on the fact sheet as well as scientific vocabulary that students will encounter while reading about their macroinvertebrates. Some things to discuss may include
   
   • the difference between common and scientific names
     
   • classification levels (i.e., Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Subclass, Order, Family, Genus, and Species)
     
   • definitions of sensitive, somewhat sensitive, and tolerant of pollution on fact sheet
     
   • definitions of herbivore, carnivore, detritivore, and omnivore
     
   • definitions of adaptation and ecosystem
     
   • insect life stages (i.e., egg, larva, pupa, and adult).
4. Have each group read and discuss the characteristics of their two macroinvertebrates. Tell them to add diagrams, drawings, labels, and notes to the pictures of their macroinvertebrates based upon what they read. So that others might learn about the macroinvertebrates, the diagrams should be as clear and informative as possible. The exercise will also help them organize their information. Tell them to look for similarities and differences between their two macroinvertebrates.
   
5. When students are ready, call on each group to pick two or three important facts about both of their macroinvertebrates to share orally with the class. Ask them to provide one similarity and one difference between their two macroinvertebrates.
   
6. Next choose a few characteristics by which to sort the macroinvertebrates. Students might sort by
   
   • herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore
     
   • the part of life cycle spent in stream or length of life cycle
     
   • phylum, class, subclass, and order
     
   • sensitive, somewhat sensitive, and tolerant.
     

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