Four Winds Nature Institute
4 Casey Rd. Chittenden, VT 05737
802-353-9440 www.fourwindsinstitute.org
Structure and Function – SPIDERS – Teaching Outline
FOCUS: Spiders come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, but they all share some specific
characteristics: two body parts, a hard exoskeleton, eight legs. They all make silk, too, though
not all weave webs. Here we take a close look at web spinners and wandering spiders and
examine their anatomy and adaptations. We’ll learn about their lives as small predators and scout
outdoors for spiders and webs.
Puppet Show “Spider Olympics”: Meet some different kinds of spiders and learn about some
of the different adaptations of web-building and wandering spiders.
Spiders Up Close: Examine closely and compare a variety of different live spiders.
Make A Spider: Construct an accurate model of a spider.
Spider Search: Observe spiders and evidence of spiders outside.
Journal Activity: Record observations about a spider and its habitat.
Spider Vibrations: Experience how spiders use sense of touch to feel vibrations and locate
prey.
Truth or Fiction Spider Game: Review some of the many interesting facts about spiders.
Sharing Web: Share some thoughts, observations and feelings about spiders.
Upper Grades Challenge – Investigating Spider Numbers: Compare the number of spider
individuals found in different habitat types.
SUGGESTED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Spider Search; Journal Activity; Spider Vibrations; Truth or Fiction Spider Game; Upper
Grades Challenge-Investigating Spider Numbers; Sharing Web
Unit Ideas:
A. Spiders and insects are related in that both are arthropods, having jointed legs and an
exoskeleton.
B. Spiders have two main body parts: cephalothorax and abdomen. They have eight legs and
most also have eight eyes.
C. Spiders face many challenges as small predators. They have a variety of physical and
behavioral adaptations that help them capture food.
D. Spiders are food for many other predators. They have a variety of adaptations that help them
avoid being eaten.
E. Not all spiders spin webs, but those that do use them to catch insects. Webs vary in
complexity and structure.
F. Spiders produce silk from glands within the abdomen and release it through spinnerets on the
abdomen. They wrap their egg sacs in silk and secure draglines to prevent falls or aid in
escaping from predators.
G. Web spinning spiders use their sense of touch to detect web motion made by prey or by a
mate approaching.
Unit Vocabulary: Arthropod, exoskeleton, cephalothorax, abdomen, spinnerets, pedipalps,
fangs, prey, predator, molt, silk, web, structure
Science Grade Expectations:
Pre-K – K Spiders are living animals. They need food, water and air to survive. Some spiders
can make webs for catching food.
Grades 1-2 Spiders are in a group of animals that all have the same basic body structure. They
are made up of body parts that enable them to get the food, water, and air they need to live.
Spiders’ ability to spin webs makes it possible for them to live in a variety of places.
Grades 3-4 Spiders have physical and behavioral characteristics that help them to get what they
need to survive in their environment. There are many different kinds of spiders; they may be
grouped according to similarities in web structure and body structure.
Grades 5-6 Spiders live in a range of habitats. There are many different kinds of spiders; they
may be grouped according to similarities in web structure and body structure. Particular features
and habits are used to identify a particular kind of spider.
Science Skills:
A. Comparing and contrasting spiders and insects.
B. Observing a variety of live spiders and examining their physical adaptations.
C. Building an accurate felt board model of a spider.
D. Experiencing through simulation how web-spinning spiders use their sense of touch to
detect motion in their webs.
E. Observing and recording observations of spiders outdoors.
F. Using field guides to identify spiders and web types.
G. Reflecting and sharing information about spiders with a group.
Vermont Standards: Inquiry 7.1, The Living World 7.13, Universe, Earth and the Environment
7.15, Natural Resources and Agriculture 7.16, Listening 1.13, Questioning 2.1, Sustainability
3.9, Understanding Place 4.6
New Hampshire Standards: Science Process Skills SPS1, SPS3, SPS4, Life Science LS1, LS2,
LS3
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