Phylum Arthropoda
Our next dissection comes up in this module. If you have not done so already, you will want to order your crayfish. Home Science Tools is a company run by a home school family and their prices and service are great if you would like a recommendation on where to get your dissection specimen. You can get a dissection kit (will be needed at the college level so hang on to it) or make do with small sewing scissors, safety razor blade, and a Styrofoam produce tray.
Lecture 1: Arthropods Are ...
This lecture will be a short one in which the students will be introduced to characteristics that all arthropods share.
Lecture 2: Classifying Arthropods
In lecture 2, we will be focusing on the classifications in phylum arthropoda. We will explore the classes crustacean, arachnida, chilipoda, diploda, and insect. Basically the lobsterish critters, the spiders, creepers and crawlers of the animal kingdom. If you have a science center near you, more than likely they will have some sort of display related to organisms in this phylum. Now might be a fun time to plan a fieldtrip since the wintery weather may prevent much in the way of live sightings and explorations. In this lecture the students will go deeper in to class insect and try their hand at sorting them into one of five classes.
Lecture 3: Crayfish
We will be combining the lab and lecture together again this module. The students will learn about the crayfish and complete a dissection of this organism.
The crayfish is an interesting arthropod. We have two streams that go through our small 2 acre plot of land. We have at least two species of crayfish, one of which builds noticeable mud towers all through the yard in the wet spring months. For several summers, our family has caught a resident cray to study through the spring through fall in our stream studies tank. The crayfish to the left is Escape'. He has been our favorite summer guest so far. They are creatures with a lot of personality.
The crayfish is an interesting arthropod. We have two streams that go through our small 2 acre plot of land. We have at least two species of crayfish, one of which builds noticeable mud towers all through the yard in the wet spring months. For several summers, our family has caught a resident cray to study through the spring through fall in our stream studies tank. The crayfish to the left is Escape'. He has been our favorite summer guest so far. They are creatures with a lot of personality.
Crayfish External Anatomy
Michelle LaMachio built the Advanced Biology course at VHSG. I have been subscribed to her You-Tube channel for a few years. This is one of the videos that she made for her local co-op that I thought you would be interested in for this unit too.
Crayfish Internal Anatomy
Here is Michelle's video for the internal anatomy of a crayfish.
Water Daphina
Water daphnia are popular menu items for hydra and other small invertebrates. In this excellent video, you will see how a daphnia gives birth.