Mantis shrimp teaching ideas

[zen mantid]

Hi, I need teaching activities for a Science Day for Teachers event focusing on visual communication. I absolutely want to use mantis shrimps (not live ones) - what better animal, eh?.

We have Pre-K, Kinder-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th. I was thinking 6th-8th or 3rd-5th at the youngest for this. Activity has to be something FUN, focused on science and scientific inquiry, something the teachers would want to use in the classroom, age appropriate and not too long - perhaps 10 - 15 min.

Any mantis shrimp teaching experience, established activities or wild and crazy ideas appreciated!

Tanks

 

[Gonodactylus]

Have you looked at our "Understanding Evolution" web site?

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/mantisshrimp_01

Roy

 

[zen mantid]

Thanks Roy, I'll check it out.
Bob

 

[Shawn D]

you could teach them courage and bravery by having them hand feed the mantid :lol: :lol: