Useful & Harmful Animals
Information About This Unit
Description of Learning Unit:
This unit introduces children to useful and harmful animals. It is intended to help children grasp the concept that some animals and insects are helpful to humans while others are considered harmful. It includes information about common animals that are useful, as well as some insect helpers and guests, using hands-on activities, videos, and other resources. This unit is intended to last for one week, depending on how often you teach science. 
List of Objectives:
- To introduce children to helpful animals.
- To explore why bats are beneficial animals.
- To examine how snails can be harmful.
- To introduce children to insect pests.
- To introduce children to helpful insects.
List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:
- Magnifying glass
- Clay
- Construction paper
- Craft eyes
- Glue
- Yarn
- Pipe cleaners
- Model Magic or other air drying clay
- Scissors
- Plastic eggs
- Sheet of clear plastic or acrylic or an aquarium
- Books or a brick, if using garden snails
- Garden snails or aquarium snails
- Acrylic paint
- Small paintbrush
- Notebook
- Pen or pencil
Printables:
- Printer supplies
- Pencil
Links to Free Learning Material
Links to Online Lessons:
| All About Bats | (no rating) |
Bats are often thought of as scary and sometimes harmful; however, they are actually useful animals. Read about them on this page to help children learn more about these animals and why they are beneficial.
| The Harmful Snail | (no rating) |
Snails may be fun to look at as they slowly glide along carrying their shell on their back, but they also can be considered harmful animals. This page explores common reasons why snails are pests.
| Cleaning Bees | 73% | (1 votes) |
Most people know about bees and pollination, but did you know they clean up too? Learn how honey bees help us by cleaning and grooming themselves.
| Aphids | 70% | (1 votes) |
Aphids are typically considered harmful insects or pests. This page provides information about aphids including how and why they are harmful and the damage they can cause to plants.
Reference Websites:
| Common Useful Animals | (no rating) |
This is a list of the most commonly known domesticated animals that are considered useful.
| Insect Reference Page | (no rating) |
Here children can learn more about different types of insects, from what they look like and eat to how they harm or hurt us.
| Useful Animal Reference Page | 82% | (2 votes) |
This site can help teach children about animals that are beneficial to humans. Click on the pictures to discover information and cool facts about each of these useful animals.
| Harmful Animal Reference Page | 75% | (1 votes) |
This site can help teach children more about animals that are considered harmful. Click on the pictures for more information and facts about each of these harmful animals.
| You've Got Bats | (no rating) |
Learn some interesting facts about bats.
Hands-On Projects and Activities:
| Create an Insect | (no rating) |
Read about insects, observe them in nature, and create one at home. This activity can help children learn more about insect bodies. It also encourages curiosity and builds on observational skills.
| Foods for Flying Mammals | (no rating) |
Create a 3-D science project that shows bats' eating habits.
| Snail Locomotion | (no rating) |
Learn about the unique way that snails move.
Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):
| Insect Pests and Guests | (no rating) |
Use this worksheet to learn more about useful and harmful insects.
| Pest Enemies | (no rating) |
Here children can learn that even some insect pests have natural enemies too.
| Beneficial Animals | (no rating) |
Are all the animals on this page beneficial? Click to find out!
| Harmful Animals | (no rating) |
Are all the animals on this page harmful? Click to find out!
| Bug Games | (no rating) |
Play some of these exciting games and watch fun videos to learn more about bugs!
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Free Online Video:
| The Snail Zombie | (no rating) |
Children can watch this video to see how a parasite can affect a garden snail.
| Praying Mantis Video | (no rating) |
The praying mantis gets its name by the way it holds its forearms. Children can watch this video to learn about the useful praying mantis.
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Free Online Audio: 
Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):