In this unit, the students explore basic ecology concepts and scientific processes using spiders as model organisms. They capture spiders, observe and care for them, and use them to answer their own questions about spider behavior. Modeling the process of a research scientist, each team of students designs and conducts their own experiment. Simultaneously, the class collaborates on joint projects investigating feeding rates of spiders (by pooling individual feeding data) and their importance in controlling the numbers of insects (by conducting a field study on or near school grounds).

The unit includes both teacher and student materials. The teacher materials include teaching tips, scheduling time lines, preparation instructions, and resource materials. The student materials include the lab handouts the students will be using in each of their experiments. You may select to go to a particular section by clicking on an underlined title from the list below or you may choose to follow the flow of the activity by selecting "Continue to Lesson" at the bottom of this page. At the end of each section, you will be given a menu from which to choose. Selecting the choices from left to right will enable you to continue the natural flow of the lesson.

Background Information

• Teacher Information - Tips, Materials, & Resources
• Collecting &Caring for Spiders - Handout
• Special Spider Tools - Handout

Student Activities

• Spider Observations - Lab
• Spider Study - Individually Designed Lab
• Do Spiders Limit the Number of Prey? - Class Lab