1st Grade Performance Task
Developed for Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
Authors: Betty Crocker, Janette Fentress, Virginia Malone, Theresa Weeks

Description:

Students will listen to Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV of "The Forgetful Pony". The student observes different stages of development of mealworms. The student sequences pictures to show the life cycle and draws the developmental stages of the mealworm.

Time Frame:

2 (30 minute) class periods

Materials:

• "The Forgetful Pony" story
• small containers used in previous experiences
• hand lenses
• rulers
• oatmeal
• mealworm larva
• pupa
• adult beetle
• egg picture
• larva picture
• pupa picture
• adult mealworm beetle picture
• envelope to hold pictures
• glue
• "Hey, Look Me Over" chart

Directions:

1. Read Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV of "The Forgetful Pony" to the students again.
   

2. Ask the students why there will be more lizard food even if he eats all of the mealworms. Allow them to make as many hypotheses as they can.

3. Give the students the containers with the mealworm larva, pupa, and adult. Tell the students that these were all found in the oatmeal after many weeks.

4. Observe the mealworms. Compare and contrast the different stages found in their containers.

5. Describe the apparent differences observed in each organism

6. Inform the class that all these organisms are the same animal in different stages of development. Use questioning strategies to help focus on similarities and differences in stages.

   Questions for students:

   1. Which do you think came first, second, third?
   2. One stage is missing, what do yout hink it is?
   3. Why weren't you given an egg to observe?
   4. Do you know other animals that have difference stages?

   Teacher Talk: Be sure students look back at their own observations and drawings of the larvae, pupae, and adults. Ask students which stage lays the egg. Some students will know that the adult does. A common misconception is that the droppings from the caterpillars, mealworms, and other larvae are eggs. Be sure that students understand that larvae cannot lay eggs. Remind the students that the eggs of the mealworm are very difficult to see because they are very small.

7. Ask students to observe each developmental stage of the mealworms. Ask students to look at details and collect measurements.

8. Students place the acutal organism on the "Hey, Look Me Over" Chart in the appropriate section to show the life cycle order and discuss what clues were used to determine sequence.

9. Give students envelopes containing labeled stages of mealworms.

10. Students compare pictures of the mealworm stages to the real organisms and discuss names of the stages.

11. Return live organisms to container.

12. Have students arrange and glue pictures on the chart in sequential order.