Web It!

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In this outdoor activity, learners investigate spider webs and feeding behavior, particularly how spiders trap food in their sticky silk webs while not getting stuck themselves. Learners catch small insects and drop them into webs they have found, then watch what the spiders do to approach an insect and prepare it for eating. This activity goes well with Web Weavers from the same source, and is a good night activity because spiders are nocturnal animals.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • plastic spray mister
  • pieces of flagging
  • masking tape
  • sweepnets
  • plastic bags
  • tweezers
  • 2 broom straws (or long, thin sticks)
  • flashlights (for night use)
  • sweepnet equipment card (in PDF)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Energy Flow and Chemical Cycles
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Nature and Environment
  • Outdoor Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, The Regents of the University of California, 1981