Insects and Creepy Crawlies

This week is one of my favorites to do with young children. They have a natural curiosity and interest in "bugs." I usually spend two weeks on this unit.

Pre-Writing: Word cards with pictures--ant, spider, grasshopper, bee, ladybug, caterpillar, butterfly

Cooking Activities: Make ladybugs-use vanilla wafers, red icing, and m & m's. Have a "Bee Tea" and let your kids taste honey. We gave them graham crackers and let them dip them into the honey. 

Math and Manipulatives: Cut three pieces of yarn "worms" in different sizes and have children put them in order from smallest to largest. A file folder game using Spider Webs and spiders with objects to match with beginning letter sounds is a kid pleasers. We also have a Wacky Watermelon game that matches seeds with the number on a watermelon. Make a matching/memory game using insects and cup lids. 

Science: An ant farm is great to have during this unit. You can order ants from Uncle Milton, consumer department 888-742-2484, or check them out on line at www.unclemilton.com. The children love to see the ants work. We also have plastic peanut butter jar that we have punched holes in the top and collect our own creepy crawlies for the children to look at. You can also order butterfly kits and worm farms, which are great learning experiences. 

Sand and Water: Add fishing worms to both of these centers. It doesn't matter which type of material you already have in them...worms go with everything!

Art: Make bugs-use egg cartons cut into four pieces and let children paint, and decorate using a variety of materials (cotton balls, beads, pipe cleaners, etc). We had a bug show at the end of the week where the children names and told about their bug's characteristics. 

Make worm art-dip yarn pieces into paint and drag yarn across construction paper to a worm trail.

Roll worms-use playdough to make long and short worms. 

Make bees. Using black and yellow construction paper, have children trace or draw and cut out four circles. Draw and cut triangles to use as stinger and wings. Hang them from the ceiling. We allowed the children to choose their bug or bee for the bug show.

Gross Motor: For outside fun--do a bee dance, butterfly parade, spider crawl, bug tag. Be creative.

Housekeeping: Add a picnic basket and checkered blanket for a pretend picnic. Masks of different insects for the children to pretend with.

Library: Here is a list of books that we used...it should not be considered a complete list.

Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle

There was an Old Lady published by Child's Play

In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming

One Hundred Hungry Ants Elinor J. Pinczes

The Big Honey Hunt by Stanley and Janice Berenstain

Animal Magic No. 4 by the editors of Owl and Chickadee Magazines

Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema

Eensy Weensy Spider by Pat Hoggan

Insects by Scholastic A smart start reader

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