Quick Take
- Dragonflies were hunting long before dinosaurs walked the earth, and the adaptations that made them unstoppable then still work today.
- Their eyes give them a hunting advantage most predators can only dream of, and this advantage has nothing to do with sharpness.
- With over 6,000 species, dragonflies vary far more wildly than most people realize, and the differences between them might surprise you.
- A free five-day unit plan covers everything kids need to explore dragonflies, and it bundles together resources that most teachers would otherwise spend hours hunting down separately.
Dragonflies are a fascinating group of insects, surviving near freshwater habitats for hundreds of millions of years, even before dinosaurs existed. There are over 6,000 various species of dragonflies, each unique in their coloring and size, including the massive Giant Petaltail dragonfly inhabiting Australia and the bright, colorful Blue Dasher dragonfly common in North America. They have developed incredible adaptations that aid in their survival, from massively large eyes that allow them to see in almost every direction to four, powerful wings, they are remarkably skilled hunters and can catch other flying insects while gliding through the air.
©Martin_Davis/Shutterstock.com
In our five-day unit, designed for elementary-aged students, children can dive deeper into the physical characteristics of dragonflies, investigate different dragonfly species, discover where they live, learn about their carnivorous diets, and discover the specialized features that aid in their survival.
Included in the unit plan are five days’ worth of comprehensive lesson plans, graphic organizers, educational video ideas, children’s book suggestions, comprehension questions, instructional resources, writing templates, and research activities. We hope you enjoy uncovering the wonderful world of dragonflies!
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