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For the Teacher. . .

This curriculum module is designed for use with students in grades 4-8 as part of units of study on arthropods. Funds for development of the module were provided through a grant with the BellSouth Foundation to the Natural Partners Initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and Mississippi State University.

The primary emphasis in the module is on Class Hexapoda with major focus on 8 commonly studied orders. Spiders from Class Arachnida are also covered.

The module is divided into the sections listed below, which can be accessed at any time from the contents menu on the left side of your screen.

The Insect Zoo
 This section contains a textual and virtual tour of the O. Orkin Insect Zoo. An interactive map shows the layout of the actual Insect Zoo at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Click on the area that interests you the most, and you will see pictures of the exhibits at the Insect Zoo.
Curriculum Resources
 "Let Arthropods Bring Science into the Classroom," is a curriculum developed by scientists at the Smithsonian, faculty members at Mississippi State University, and classroom teachers. There are numerous activities listed to choose among to best suit your students' needs and interests. Activities include teacher objectives; lists of materials needed; procedures to follow; and supplemental activities.
Teacher Resources
 This section provides a description of the module's adherence to the National Science Education Standards as well as a direct link to the Standards themselves. Feedback can also be provided from this point in the module.
Student Resources
 Students will discover facts about the orders covered in the module, including Arthropods' place in the animal taxonomy; the scientific names and common names of the orders covered; and each order's General Characteristics, Help/Harm to the Environment, Enemies/Allies, Life Span, and Interesting Facts.
Glossary
To assist in understanding the module, the authors have included a glossary to enable teachers and students to locate unfamiliar words/terms used within the module.
Bibliography
Listings include Children's Insect Books, Children's Spider Books, Art Books, Young Adult and Adult Books, Audio/Visual Materials. Smithsonian Materials, and books which can be ordered from the Smithsonian Bookstore for those teaches who may not have local access to a book store.
Outside Links
Annotated lists of other World Wide Web sites associated with topics covered in the module are hyperlinked in this section of the module. These links are listed to provide access to other sites without the users' having to go through individual searches. These sites are listed as a service, not necessarily as recommendations.
Feedback
This section is intended as a means for teachers to critique the site, to communicate with the scientists at the Smithsonian, and to submit their own ideas, suggestions for curriculum units and lessons.

Meet the Museum Specialists

Nathan Erwin, Director
Serving as the Director of the Insect Zoo is Nathan Erwin, who came to the zoo in March of 1992. In that capacity, Nate oversees the exhibit operations, the docent program, and the educational programs as they pertain to the O. Orkin Insect Zoo. Nate received his B. S. Degree in Entomology from the University of Delaware. 		Nate Erwin in the Staff Work Room

Joe Smith working in the Staff Work Room Joseph L. Smith, Museum Specialist
Working with Nate is Joseph L. Smith who began at the Insect Zoo in November of 1987. Joe has a B. A. in Entomology from the University of Pennsylvania.

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