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Fig Wasp Reproduction and Life Cycle

Lesson Plan

Fig Wasp Reproduction and Life Cycle

Objectives

In this lesson, students compare the life cycles of male and female fig tree wasps and learn about how they reproduce. Students will:

  • trace the life cycles of male and female fig tree wasps.
  • explain how the body structures of fig tree wasps function for survival and reproduction.
  • describe the relationship between fig tree wasps and fig trees.

Essential Questions

Vocabulary

  • Sexual Reproduction: Process by which two cells from different parents come together to produce a new organism.
  • Foundress: Female fig tree wasp.
  • Ovipositor: Female wasp structure for inserting eggs into flowers.
  • Pollen pocket: Female wasp structure for carrying pollen to other flowers.
  • Pollination: Transfer of pollen from male plant reproductive structures to female plant reproductive structures.
  • Syconium: Hollow, fleshy, flower-bearing structures on fig trees that are lined on the inside with hundreds of tiny, pollen-bearing male flowers and seed-bearing female flowers.

Duration

45–60 minutes/1–2 class periods

Prerequisite Skills

Prerequisite Skills haven't been entered into the lesson plan.

Materials

Related Unit and Lesson Plans

Related Materials & Resources

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.

  • Fig Wasps

www.figweb.org/Fig_wasps/index.htm

  • The Queen of Trees: Video: Mutual Dependence (figs and wasps)

www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/the-queen-of-trees/video-mutual-dependence/1359/

  • Figs and Their Wasps

http://cloudbridge.org/fig-wasp.htm

  • The Calimyrna Fig and Its Pollinator Wasp

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/pljune99.htm

Formative Assessment

  • View
    • At the beginning of the lesson, orally assess students’ understanding of sexual reproduction as it relates to wasps.
    • Circulate around the classroom while students are creating the flow charts, clarifying any misunderstandings.
    • Collect flow charts and check them using Flow Charts Answer Key (S-7-3-2_Flow Charts Answer Key.doc).
    • Collect exit slips for an overall idea of whether students understand the relationship between structure and function.

Suggested Instructional Supports

  • View
    Scaffolding, Active Engagement, Modeling, Explicit Instruction
    W: Students examine the relationship between structure and function in fig tree wasps. Also, students learn about the life cycle and reproduction of fig tree wasps.
    H: The lesson begins by having students recall the process of sexual reproduction in fig trees, and relates that to sexual reproduction in fig tree wasps.
    E: This lesson consists of direct, whole-class instruction followed by guided practice in pairs of students.
    R: Students begin the lesson by reflecting on the concept of sexual reproduction in fig trees, and apply it to new information about sexual reproduction in fig tree wasps. Students also review by completing an exit slip at the end of the lesson.
    E: Students express their understanding by transferring understanding of the wasps’ life cycles from outline form, into a life-cycle diagram.
    T: This lesson can be tailored by scaffolding the life-cycle diagrams. Provide students with the steps of each life cycle to arrange on templates of the life-cycle diagrams.
    O: Beginning with a review of sexual reproduction in fig trees, the lesson then moves into sexual reproduction and life cycles in fig tree wasps. Students also learn about the importance of specialized structures to carry out specific functions.

Instructional Procedures

  • View

    Review the definition of sexual reproduction and have each student write a one to two sentence description of sexual reproduction in fig trees, based on the previous lesson. Have several students share their sentences. Be sure that the concept that one cell from each parent comes together during fertilization is mentioned.

    Tell students, “Each of the over 1,000 species of fig trees has its own specialized species of fig tree wasp that pollinates it. The fig tree wasp pollinates the fig tree as it carries out sexual reproduction in the figs.”

    Distribute copies of Fig Tree Wasp Reproduction and Life Cycle–Student Version (S-7-3-2_Fig Tree Wasp Reproduction and Life Cycle-Student Version.doc and S-7-3-2_Fig Tree Wasp Reproduction and Life Cycle-Teacher Version.doc). Explain the reproduction and life stages of fig tree wasps and guide students in completing the outline. If you have made an overhead transparency of Life Cycle of Fig Tree Wasps (S-7-3-2_Life Cycle of Fig Tree Wasps.doc), refer to it as you discuss the life cycle of the male and female wasps. Ask students, “Why do you think the female wasps live longer than the male wasps?” (Because they carry out the important function of delivering the eggs to the fig flowers.)

    Have students work in pairs to make two flow charts, one for each of the life cycles of male and female fig tree wasps. Give each pair of students two sheets of unlined paper for the flow charts. Allow students to use their outlines as they make the flow charts.

    On an exit slip, have each student explain how one specific structure in male or female fig tree wasps helps them to survive and/or reproduce.

    Extension:

    • For students who may need opportunities for additional learning, provide the steps of the wasp life cycle out of order, and a blank template for the flow chart. Have students arrange the steps in order on the flow chart.
    • Students who are performing above and beyond the standards, instead of a flow chart for male or female wasps, can create a more complex graphic organizer that includes the life cycles of both male and female wasps.

Related Instructional Videos

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Instructional videos haven't been assigned to the lesson plan.
DRAFT 05/11/2011
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