Insects






We studied lots of Insects. We became junior entomologists. We learned about the differences between bugs and insects When we do the unit on insects, we also do an author study on Eric Carle.
We used flannel boards, puzzles, bugs (plastic ones,) We read many books and sang lots of songs.(See pictures below)

Books

We Like Bugs! by Jolene Griffith**
(We really liked the song that went with it. Those slinky centipedes.)
Katrina-The Butterfly by Nancy Hatzenbihler (we also listened to the tape)**
These are both from the Learning Workshop.
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
Quiet as a Cricket by Audrey Wood
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Creepy Crawlies A to Z by Louisa Ainsworth
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Insect Soup: Bug Poems by Barry Louis Polisar



Audio:

Insects and Bugs a compact disc
We Like Bugs! a tape to go along with the book.
Katrina the Butterfly a tape to go along with the book.



Art Projects

We made all sorts of things when we were studying about insects.
*At a center, to improve their fine motor control, I have the steps to make a caterpillar.

*Draw your own caterpillar *Coffee filter butterflies *Caterpillars from TLC Art

Building Words that we did:

Spiders, insects, butterflies, butterfly

Activities

I have a sheet with a bug container drawn on it and the students pretend to catch a variety of bugs and put them in the box.
At a center, I have a stamp-a-story. The kids, depending on their levels, can either stamp and identify it, or write a story. I am always surprised at these stories.

Games

We play the game, Cootie. If you have better luck than I did, you can find the old version. The new version has roller blades! I am lucky enough to have two different original ones, which is why we play this game. I created a book, but it can be just a programmed sheet.It took me_______ roll (s) to get the body of my cootie. It is ______________. It took me ________ roll (s) to get the head of the cootie. It is ________________. Cootie body parts: eyes legs tongue antlers The next time I rolled, I got ____________________.
Then I got _____________________.
After that I got ___________________.
My next roll I got _____________________.
Then I rolled to get ___________________.
Finally I got ______________________.
Now my cootie is complete. This is what it looks like.
Check out my lesson planon this

There is a picture below of the Bug Investigation Center. I put 20 different plastic critters in film containers and labeled the containers. The kids used the sheet, labeled 1-20, and number of legs and then was it an insect or bug. This came from Teacher Created Materials.
Another activity that my kids do for the pocket chart, is using flashcards. The kids can sort out the cards. They make title cards on how to sort them. As I was going through the cards, I noticed that one of my students made cards that said "fierce and not fierce" WOW!


Homework

I have a letter that goes home to the parents that details this, but any letter will do just fine. I tell them to use half of an egg carton and decorate it anyway in which they please.

Teacher Resources


Bugs Language Pack- these are sentence strips from Lakeshore(picture down below)
Creepy Crawlies by Teacher Created Materials
The Bug Book by Robin Bernard
Fun with Nature Northword Press
In the Spring book of Phonemic Awareness Songs & Rhymes (this has some great bugs songs to go along with the unit.)
Discovering Butterflies I went to a The Learning Workshop, class one day and got a thematic unit.
From Caterpillars to Butterflies (I can’t tell you the author, there isn’t one)It is a one page tri-fold mini-unit.
Bunches of Bugs Lasting Lessons
The Caterpillar Song- make and take book from TLC Art
Cut and Create! Bugs and other Creatures- Kim Rankin (similar to TLC projects)

Teacher Made Materials



Out of felt, I made a flannel board story to go with the Very Hungry Caterpillar. (see below)
There are some bees and lady bugs pictures below, these were sold 6 in a pack and I put sticky backed Vel-Cro circles on the bottom of the ladybugs and bees for story time.


Here are some Song and Poetry cards that I use with my units:






This is the glove that I bought to go with the poems. I got it at Lakeshore.


Here are some other items that I use with my unit:

Ladybug pointer
Ladybug swatter
Match pictures to bugs
Flannelboard pieces

Investigating Bugs*
Bees and Ladybugs
A poster
Bug unit fromLearning Workshop

Small bug containers
The Very Hungry Caterpillar video
a flannel board that I made
a puzzle from T.J. Maxx

From Lakeshore
Flashcards to use in pocket charts
Puzzles from the Dollar Tree
Lakeshore Language Pack

Here are some other lesson plans:


Fireflies
Ant Facts
Ants Go Marching
How to build a butterfly garden
Different Activities
Bugs!
Bugs vs. Insects
Butterfly Facts
Spider Cookies
Cootie
Flying Insects
Hopping Bugs
Insect Unit
Ladybugs
Lady Bird
Ladybug Poems
Spider Poems
Spider Unit
Insect Songs

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