Spiders - Jillian Dupuis

Introduction

There are more than 35,000 different kids that have been identified...

It is believed that there are anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 different kinds that exist...

On average, they can live from 1 to 2 years...

They are usually brown, grey, or black in color...

Some of them spin webs...

They are...

What are spiders?

Spiders are arachnids.  This means that they have:

  • 2 body segments
  • 8 legs
  • 0 wings
  • 0 antennae

The body of a spider is very complex.  Major parts of a spider's body include the legs, fangs, cephalothorax, abdomen, and spinnerets.  What do these parts do?  Where are they located on a spider's body?

Task

Through completion of this WebQuest students will learn about the specific parts of a spider's body and where these parts are located.

Students should be able to:

  • Correctly label a diagram of the body of a spider.
  • Participate in classroom discussion about the parts of a spider's body.


Process

The body of a spider is made of two segments.

The front segment of the body is called the CEPHALOTHORAX.  The cephalothorax (head + thorax (chest)) is the part of the body where you can find:

  • eyes
  • mouth (fangs)
  • stomach
  • brain
  • legs
  • poison glands

The back segment of the body is called the ABDOMEN.  The abdomen is the part of the body where you can find:

  • spinnerets (silk producing glands)

Explore the following websites to learn more about the body and body parts of spiders:

http://www.kidzone.ws/lw/spiders/facts.htm

http://www.theschoolrun.com/homework-help/spiders

http://www.spidersworlds.com/

 

Check out this video of a spider using its spinnerets and catching prey!

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf4Ke7Dexgw align:center]

Check out this video of a spider using its spinnerets to spin a web!

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5iN0ZaoW7M align:center]

Evaluation

Correctly label a diagram of the body of a spider - including:

  • legs
  • fangs
  • cephalothorax
  • abdomen
  • spinnerets

Participate in group discussion about the parts of a spider's body.

  • Teacher will observe and listen to students during group discussion times.  Noting whether students demonstrate: little understanding, some understanding, or much understanding about the parts of a spiders body
  • Listens respectfully to others
  • Asks / answers questions

Conclusion

Spiders are simply amazing!  They come in various sizes and colors and can be found just about everywhere in the world!  The body of a spider is quite complex with each part doing a special job - enabling the spider to live its life growing from spiderling to adult.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSC0jWlSsL4 align:center]

Credits