Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Beware, Be Aware

Length of sessions:

Seven 30 minute sessions
One 45 minute session

Introduction Activity (45 minute session)
Divide the class into four heterogeneous teams. Tell them they're going to read a story together. The stories all have something to do with misperceptions, trickery, deception and preconceived ideas. Briefly discuss the meaning of these terms. List them on the board with examples from the students. Tell the students they need to be looking at their story for which of these concepts is presented. Stories to read are: A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban, Quail Song by Valerie Scho Carey, The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Mercer Mayer, Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like by Jay Williams. (Option: Teacher reads each story to whole class and leads a discussion of the above concepts including the stories as examples and examples from the students' lives.) Have the teams present what happened in the stories concerning deception and trickery. Teacher or student records on butcher paper.

Activity 1(30 minute session)
Review discussion from the Introduction. Introduce the concept of advertising. The intent of advertising is to sell a product. Have the students look through magazines and cut out tobacco and other ads. Compare these ads. What are the messages? Have students identify different kinds of messages. For example the people appear to be: Happy, good looking, having fun with many friends, healthy and good athletes. Teacher or student records on butcher paper.
What is the truth about alcohol, drugs, and tobacco? Have children identify and record on butcher paper or in their journals. The reality is that they can be addictive substances and often create health, personal or family problems and are expensive. Have students choose advertisements that they think are reliable. Have them explain why they are reliable. Have the class make two collages--one with reliable messages and one with unreliable messages in advertising.

Activity 2(30 minute session)
In groups, give the students time to create their own reliable advertisement and share with the class. Secretly tell one group to develop an unreliable advertisement. These can be video taped for an open house.

Activity 3(30 minute session)
Many insects use reliable messages. Read The Ladybird Beetle and Other Insects - A First Discovery Book by Gallimard Jeunesse. Then, discuss the ladybird beetle's anatomy, coloration, defense, habitat and habits. Have the students observe the ladybird beetles and keep journals of observations for a few days. They should make colored, anatomically correct drawings of the adult beetles.

Activity 4(30 minute session)
In teams, have the students carefully handle the beetles. Then, gently squeeze them. What happens when the ladybird beetle is squeezed? Why does it do this? What is the message to a predator (an animal that may want to eat it)? Why doesn't the predator eat it? Is the message of the ladybird beetle reliable? They will notice that the beetles secrete a bad smelling liquid that warns predators that they do not taste good. The students will be able to smell this secretion. This is a reliable message because the predator learns to associate the bad taste with the red color. (Note: some insects do use false advertising. Several butterflies' color patterns mimic the Monarch butterfly because the monarch tastes bad. The mimics do not taste bad. Some predatory fireflies flash codes that make other fireflies come to mate, but they get eaten instead. Some aphid predators camouflage themselves so that they can sneak up on their prey). Have the students wash their hands when they are through handling the Ladybird Beetles.

Activity 5(Two 30 minute sessions)
Discuss how insects use coloration for disguise or camouflage, to recognize each other, or as a warning to other animals. Brightly colored insects in particular red and orange, often warn predators that they are dangerous (sting) or distasteful. Record on a chart the colors and what they do for the insect (camouflage, warning or both depending on where it lives). As an art activity: Using colored paper, scissors and glue (recycled egg cartons, beads and any other art supplies available) have students create insects that use colors either for camouflage or to warn other animals. Have them introduce their insects and give the reasons for choosing the colors they use to design their models. Encourage anatomically correct insects (three body parts, six legs, two antennae.)

Closure Activity(30 minute session)
Discuss unreliable and reliable messages. What are the consequences? Can students think of unreliable messages and consequences they might encounter? Give examples. Role play conversations and experiences the students might come across in their lives (i.e., someone asking for money for drugs, reasons for not getting homework done, etc.).

Lesson Intro	Set-up	Lesson Plans	Additions
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