September Unit Study: Entomology

Ashley Bobst
Sep 27
2 min read

This month, our students explored the theme of insects and arthropods through a mix of science investigations, art, music, and hands-on fieldwork. They discovered that all insects are arthropods, but not all arthropods are insects, and applied this understanding in creative projects, taxonomy practice, and outdoor exploration. Students built insect-inspired artwork from natural materials, harvested and prepared bamboo for a collaborative raft installation (Creekside Dreams), and studied insect communication, adaptations, and scientific classification. They wrote creative diary entries from the perspective of fruit flies in space, connected insect stridulation to music and painting, and explored the relationship between science and the arts. Guest experts in entomology and pest control extended their learning through real-world applications. Alongside these studies, students baked seasonal treats, practiced Spanish and coding, and prepared group artwork for the Fall Art Show, weaving together science, creativity, and community.

We do not teach to standards, however, here are standard connections we made in this unit:

Virginia SOL Connections:

Science: 2.4, 3.4, 3.8, 4.4, 4.8, 5.1, 6.1

Mathematics: 3.14, 4.12

History/Social Science: VS.1, CE.1

Fine Arts: Music & Visual Arts Standards

Computer Science: K–8 Computer Science Standards

World Languages: Spanish Standards

English: 3.7, 4.7, 5.7

Health/PE: Physical activity, safety, and collaboration

Entomology & Scientific Discovery

Discovered differences between insects and other arthropods.
Learned about insect communication, including stridulation and cicada sounds.
Studied taxonomy and practiced scientific naming by creating insect books.
Explored the Schmidt Pain Scale and discussed anecdotal fallacy.
Investigated bees as engineers, honeycomb hexagons, and honey production.

Hands-On Projects

Built insect art from natural materials.
Harvested and measured bamboo for a life-sized raft project.
Designed collaborative artwork for the Fall Art Show.
Wrote creative fruit fly space diaries.

Music & Art Connections

Studied Josquin des Prez’s El Grillo and its onomatopoetic patterns.
Created paintings inspired by sound and music, exploring Kandinsky and synesthesia.
Connected auditory imagery to visual expression.

Guest Experts & Real-World Connections

Dr. Walker (Entomologist): Shared research, insect mounts, and live beetles.
Mr. Steve & Mrs. Sharon Clatterbuck (Pest Control): Discussed invasive species, environmental safety, and career pathways.