Gr 1 Students Transform with At-Home Unit of Inquiry

“Congratulations! You are now the proud parent of some very sweet little mealworms. They are depending on you to help them grow up to be healthy adults.”

And with that simple introduction, our first graders met the newest members of their families!

In Grade 1, the final unit of inquiry for the school year, Sharing the Planet, focuses on biodiversity: insects and their life cycle, their role in the biosphere, and the responsibility of humans to care for other life forms. Plans included re-furbishing the insect hotel on campus, taking nature walks, and observing mealworms as they go through complete metamorphosis. With school abruptly closed in mid-March, the first-grade teachers wanted to make sure this important unit was explored, but were challenged to do so for 29 students spread across the Treasure Valley.

With some quick thinking, Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Espinoza came up with the idea of assembling mealworm care kits. Complete with a few mealworms, care instructions, scientific journal, magnifying glass, oat bran, and potato, these kits became the launchpad for learning.

How did it work? Well, the first graders had to cover the basics with their mealworms: feed them, provide a clean environment, exercise them, and ensure their safety. The students measured their mealworms and made careful drawings to document how they looked each day. They varied their fruits and vegetables, observed what was eaten, and tested the idea that eating carrots might turn a mealworm orange. They recorded their exercise regimes. Under their loving care, their mealworms molted, transformed into a pupa, and finally, transformed into an adult darkling beetle. And although it wasn’t easy, the first graders made their final observations, said their goodbyes, and released their beetles outside.

During this time, they also learned how to draw swallowtail butterflies with their art teacher, Mr. Nelson. They had picnics on Earth Day and listened to the sounds of nature. They also chose an insect to learn more about and then shared what they had learned with their classmates (over Google Meet!). They became experts in ladybugs, luna moths, grasshoppers, Hercules beetles, and peanuthead bugs to name a few. There was no shortage of enthusiasm in sharing what they had learned from our young entomologists. They created written reports, PowerPoint presentations and videos, and explained:

• The parts of their insect and what do they do;
• Their lifecycle;
• Their habitat; and
• Why that insect matters to our biodiversity.

As the school year wound down, and teachers reflected on this final unit of inquiry, they thought about all the ways our first graders had grown: they gained confidence in their abilities to care for another living being and became more empathetic. They conducted research, shared what they had learned, and gave positive feedback to their classmates. With a lot of love, they observed and documented the transformation of their mealworms into darkling beetles.

But perhaps the most exciting element of their journey was the transformation of a different kind: as the students said yes to taking responsibility for caring for their mealworms, they took responsibility for something else—their own learning.

Many thanks to our parents who were so supportive of this home-based unit of inquiry. Special thanks to our teachers, Mrs. Espinoza and Mrs. Morgan, for creating unique opportunities and guiding our students as they become lifelong learners!

Enjoy videos featuring Jonah’s inquiry into luna moths and Fiona’s inquiry into Hercules beetles by clicking the images below.