Step One

STEP ONE:

--Initial Questions

1.       Based on my prior knowledge, is Genus Pepsis a type of species?

2.       What is Genus Pepsis?

3.       Why is Genus Pepsis important to our world?

4.       What resources can I use to determine what Genus Pepsis is?

5.       Now that I know Genus Pepsis is a Tarantula Wasp, what other resources can I use to determine more information?

6.       Why is it important for a 7^th grade class to learn about Genus Pepsis?

7.       How can I tie in the information I learned about Tarantula Hawks to motivate and interest my students?

8.       What multi-media aspects can I use to enhance this instructional unit?

--Web Resources:

1.       http://bugguide.net/node/view/3920

2.       http://genuspepsiscwrenn.blogspot.com/

3.       http://irishmank.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-is-genus-pepsis.html

4.       http://www.icr.org/article/6390/

5.       http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/54027-Pepsis

6.       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula_hawk

7.       http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Animalia/Pepsis_Genus.asp

8.       http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/sep/papr/thawk.html

9.       http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/elyunque/learning/nature-science/?cid=fsbdev3_042905

10.   http://www.arkinspace.com/2011/09/tathe-tarantula-hawk-ruthless-raptor-of.html

--Videos:

1.       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=287mfv6lbDU

2.       http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=vzJFzNr5YL4&feature=fvwp

3.       http://youtu.be/D56lxph_WlI

4.       http://www.ehow.com/video_4755674_life-cycle-tarantula-wasp.html

--Questions for my students:

1.       What is a Genus Pepsis?

2.       What are the characteristics of Genus Pepsis?

3.       What is a Genus Pepsis’ prey?

4.       Where are Genus Pepsis’ located?

5.       How would you describe the behaviors of a Genus Pepsis?
6.   What is symbiosis, and how does it apply to a Genus Pepsis? 

7.       What other animals have a similar relationship to a Tarantula and a Genus Pepsis?
8.   What are the four different types of a symbiotic relationship, and how are they different from one another?

--Common Core Standards-

1.       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.2  Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

2.       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.5 Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.

3.       CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.