📚 Part 1: Life Cycle Vocabulary Detective

1. Key Vocabulary: Match each life cycle word to its meaning by drawing lines:

hibernation • the stage between larva and adult

pupae • winter sleep to survive cold weather

larvae • young wasps that look like grubs

mandibles • strong jaws used for chewing

2. Use context clues to complete this sentence about wasp development:

During winter, adult wasps go into _____________ to survive the cold, while _____________ develop inside protective cases before becoming adults.

3. Which life cycle stage comes first? Circle the correct answer:

pupae

larvae

adult wasp

hibernation

🤔 Part 2: Context Clues and Word Meanings

4. Complete these sentence frames using evidence from the text:

I think hibernation means _________________________________ because in the story it says _________________________________.

I think mandibles means _________________________________ because in the story it says _________________________________.

5. Why do you think wasps need strong mandibles during their life cycle? Explain your reasoning.

6. How does hibernation help wasps survive? Use the word "hibernation" in your answer.

7. Word Bank Challenge: Use ALL four vocabulary words in a paragraph about the wasp life cycle.

hibernation • pupae • larvae • mandibles

8. Why do you think the pupae stage is important in a wasp's development? What might happen if this stage was skipped?

9. How might climate change affect wasp hibernation patterns? Think critically about cause and effect.

10. Discussion starter: If you could observe one stage of the wasp life cycle up close, which would you choose and why?