Ask students to tell you what they think an insect is. Keep the accurate comments from their answers to introduce the characteristics of an insect. For instance, explain that insects have three body parts -- a head, a thorax and an abdomen, six legs, antennae to smell and feel with and wings to fly.
Sing the two simple insect songs provided by the "Bug Time Story" lesson plan by Mighty Book, or those from the "Songs about Bugs" page by Songs for Teaching. This activity will help students remember the characteristics of insects.
Read children's stories based on insects, such as "I Like Bugs!" by Margaret Wise Brown and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, to introduce students to a variety of insects. You can also use the books' pictures to show children various types of bugs.
Make flashcards of photographs of insects, including ants, dragonflies, ladybugs, butterflies and grasshoppers, and animals such as snakes, fish and lizards. Divide the classroom into two teams and ask one team member at a time to pick a flashcard and place it on the "Insects" or "Non-Insects" side of the board. The team with the most correct answers wins.
Share your experiences with insects, such as a mosquito bite or annoying flies during your summer vacation. Ask students to share their own experiences with the class. Explain how insects can be potentially dangerous for people and how children can protect themselves with repellents or clothing.
Ask students to choose an insect and draw it, based on the photographs on your flashcards. When they are done, they must cut out their drawing and stick it on a large sheet of paper, which you will label "Insects -- Class of 2011" for example.