I wonder what a pest is...

Lesson Overview:

Students will take a look at what animals are considered pests and why. Put the honeybee insect on trial. Students will be presented with the arguement that honeybees are pests and we should get rid of them all! Students will have to argue for keeping honeybee by listing their good qualities and contributions or fight to make honeybees extinct.

Subject Area Focus: science, social studies, drama

Objective:

  1. define the word pest
  2. debate the pros and cons of a honeybee through a mock trial
  3. link the concept of pest to Manduca

Materials:

Procedure:

  1. Students should complete their daily Manduca observations in their journals.
  2. Tell students to take a minute to dicuss with their nieghbor what the word pest means. Ask the pair to record ideas in their observation journals.
  3. Tell the pair to look-up the dictionary definition of this word and compare it to their definition.
  4. When everyone has finished, as a class make a list of all of the animals and plants they consider to be pests.
  5. Teacher states:
    -A pest is anything that feeds on something we humans want. If dogs used up all of our resources we probably wouldn't think of them as man's best friend, we would call them pests.
    -An animal that is a pest in one place may not be a pest in another environment. There are many examples of this nature.
  6. Today in class we are going to put an insect on trial to determine if it is a pest or a helpful insect.
  7. Teacher will present students with an evil portrayal of the honeybee. Teacher will try to persuade some students to consider honeybees a pests by reminding students that honeybees sting humans all of the time. Teacher could even sight a student in the class who has been stung (if applicable),
  8. After presenting this fact the teacher will solicit students who are willing to defend the honeybee in the trial, and students who wish to get the pest kicked out! (Teacher will act a moderator and judge)
  9. Teacher will give both sides time to formulate their arguements.
    Teacher can fuel each side with these facts:

    con:
    - honeybee stings cause 40 deaths a year
    - honeybees are an invasive species because they were brought here by settlers in the 1700s. They are not native to the U.S. and don't belong here

    pro:
    - most important flower pollinators
    -produce honey
    -bee's wax is an important product used in: make-up, candles, candy and to coat fruits at the grocery store to help them stay fresh
  10. Teacher can begin the trial with the prosecution stating its case. Then the Defense should be given time for a rebuttal and to state its case.
  11. Both sides should be given time to present closing arguements.
  12. Trial will be won by class vote, if there is a tie the teacher will break it based on the stregth of the cases presented.
    **Teacher Note: Props can really enhance this debate drama. Try bringing in a jar of honey for the defense, and maybe a bandage for someone of the prosecution to argue pain and suffering from their bee sting.
  13. The verdict will be different in every class depending on how strong the arguments are for each side.
  14. At the end of class or the following day, depending on time, present the following information about Maduca's role as agricultural pests. Pictures of crop damage can be found on the History link in the All About Manduca Tab.