Untangling the Web of Spiders

Have you ever wondered how spiders make webs and why they don't get caught in them? Maybe you would like to know how many different types of spiders exist.  Well wonder no more!  This WebQuest can answer these questions and many more.


 

The Tasks:

This WebQuest is designed for elementary students studying life sciences. You will:

 

The Resources:

The world of spiders is loaded with facts and photos. The internet offers wonderful information related to this WebQuest.   Information is only a click away.
1. Characteristics  Many primary grade students incorrectly identify spiders as insects. This web page in intended to be a resource to teachers and students in teaching and learning about the characteristics of spiders.

2. Spiders In and Around the House Unpopular as they are, most spiders are shy and harmless to humans. Most are quite beneficial by feeding on harmful insects and mites in and around the home, yard, garden and field. This site provides pictures and descriptions of several different spiders.

3. Spider Family Key  This key lists 17 spider families along with some diagnostic features to help you identify them. Some of the features, such as the arrangements of eyes, are difficult to determine without a microscope. Therefore, we have highlighted the most useful and easy to recognize features for each family by showing them in italics.

4. The anatomy of a spider  An arachnid, includes four pairs of legs and a body divided into two regions, the cephalothorax and the abdomen. The spider produces silk from spinnerets located in its abdomen and uses the silk to spin webs, to line its burrow, to wrap its eggs in cocoons, and to lower itself by a single strand to the ground. Its scientific class, Arachnida, is named for the Greek tapestry weaver Arachne, who was turned into a spider by the goddess Athena.

5. How do spiders spin their webs?  To spin a tale about the spider, member of the species arachnid, we must first examine the common thread that ties them together...the way they produce the silk they use to weave their webs, as well as other contraptions, to suit their particular needs.

6. Spider Memory There are all different types of spiders. They vary in size, color and shape. There are many interesting characteristics found among spiders.
 

The Process:

You and a partner are entomologists studying spiders. You will learn many interesting things about spiders.  To keep track of all your research, you will keep a spider journal. A good entomologist always takes good notes. Take your time to explore each activity.
1. Characteristics  Many primary grade students incorrectly identify spiders as insects. This web page in intended to be a resource to teachers and students in teaching and learning about the characteristics of spider. In your spider journal write down any questions you may have about spiders. Work with a partner to find the answers to the questions.  Good Luck!!

2. Spiders In and Around the House  Unpopular as they are, most spiders are shy and harmless to humans. Most are quite beneficial by feeding on harmful insects and mites in and around the home, yard, garden and field. This site provides pictures and descriptions of several different spiders.  On a sheet of paper, list any spider you have seen in or around your house.  Include a detailed illustration of each spider.  Compare your list with your partner's.

3. Spider Family Key  This key lists 17 spider families along with some diagnostic features to help you identify them. Some of the features, such as the arrangements of eyes, are difficult to determine without a microscope. Therefore, we have highlighted the most useful and easy to recognize features for each family by showing them in italics.  Make a chart showing the different characteristics of spider families. Make a note of at least one interesting characteristic. Does any other spider share the same interesting characteristic?  Include this in your spider journal.

4. The anatomy of a spider  An arachnid, includes four pairs of legs and a body divided into two regions, the cephalothorax and the abdomen. The spider produces silk from spinnerets located in its abdomen and uses the silk to spin webs, to line its burrow, to wrap its eggs in cocoons, and to lower itself by a single strand to the ground. Its scientific class, Arachnida, is named for the Greek tapestry weaver Arachne, who was turned into a spider by the goddess Athena. On a separate sheet of paper, make your own spider.  See if your partner can correctly label all the parts.  Place the diagram in your journal.

5. How do spiders spin their webs?  To spin a tale about the spider, member of the species arachnid, we must first examine the common thread that ties them together...the way they produce the silk they use to weave their webs, as well as other contraptions, to suit their particular needs. This is another activity for your spider journal. Orb spiders have an interesting way of spinning their webs. Try to design your own web using the same technique as the orb spider.

6. Spider Memory  There are all different types of spiders.  They vary in size, color and shape.  There are many interesting characteristics found among spiders.  With your partner, see if you can successfully match the different types of spiders.  It might be interesting to see who can complete the task in the shortest amount of time.  Good Luck!

7. Quia Quiz  Test your knowledge of spiders by taking this quiz.

    Learning Advice: 

You have now learned all about spiders. Increase your knowledge by completing your spider journal. You should include a summary paper of what you have learned.  Look for other pictures and photographs to add to your journal. Review what you have learned and share your knowledge with your partner and classmates.
 
 

     Conclusion: 

Congratulations! You are now a spider expert. You now know many interesting fact concerning spider.  You are familiar with the many families, sizes, shapes, and characteristics of spiders.  After you have completed this WebQuest, you should have a better understanding of spiders. You should be able to recognize different types of spiders and facts about them. To show what you have learned, make a spider booklet and include information form your journal as well as anything else you might have found. You are now ready to teach others about amazing spiders. You might want to view the Spider PowerPoint Presentation.

This page originally written by Kesha Coleman  in EDU 506 instructor Dr. Bruce Lewis and last updated on March 24, 2001.