What Are Pollinators?

In this lesson, students are introduced to the importance of pollinators as they learn how flowering plants, pollinators, and humans are connected.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students color in the anatomy of a flower while learning about flowers’ mutualistic relationship with pollinators.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students identify which flowers are most likely to attract specific pollinators and reflect on the importance of pollinators.

Positives

• This lesson creates a collaborative learning environment for students to learn about pollinators and how to protect them.

• This lesson encourages students to be both creative and observant by combining science and art practices.

• This lesson uses different modalities, including auditory, visual, and tactile.

• Students will develop a strong connection to self and other species through the Make a Flower and Write a Letter to Pollinator activities.

Additional Prerequisites

• Specific materials like scissors and glue are necessary to make the paper flower. A list of materials is provided in the Make a Flower section of the Student Document.

• The Match the Pollinator-Flower Pairs worksheet in the Student Document should be printed in color or used digitally.

• Images of the flowers mentioned in the reading can be found in the Teacher Slideshow.

• To save on ink and paper, ask students which pollinator they have chosen for the Make a Flower activity and then print out only the relevant cut-out sheets from the Student Document.

• Some students may need to be introduced to or review the term observation. You can use this short video to do so.

• Use this resource to learn more about the types of flowers specific pollinators are attracted to and this resource to learn more about the threats to pollinators.
  

Differentiation

• Teachers can print and cut out flower pieces for younger students to put together the  Make a Flower as a puzzle activity.

• There are two options for the Student Reading and the Letter to a Pollinator activity to accommodate different reading and writing levels.

• The letter writing and matching activities can be used as assessments.

• This lesson can be extended into a larger research project on the importance of biodiversity or the impact of humans on the environment.

• This lesson can be used in science lessons about the natural world and in art lessons about colors and shapes.

• Teachers can read the passage aloud and help students draw conclusions about what attracts each pollinator. The writing exercise can also be shortened.

• The class can complete the Parts of a Flower worksheet as a class by projecting the worksheet onto a board and coloring it in with input from students.

This lesson enables students to gain insights into the role of pollinators on flowers, they will learn the elementary parts of a flower, and how to match specific pollinators to flowers. All materials used in developing the lesson have been thoroughly reviewed and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

Primary Standards

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
  • LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
    • K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
• Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
  • Writing (K-12)
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

Supporting Standard

• National Core Arts Standards
  • Visual Arts: Standard 1 - Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
    • VA:Cr1.2.1a Use observation and investigation in preparation for making a work of art.