This unit is ©Copyright 2004 by Cindy Downes. All rights reserved. Permission is given to homeschooling parents to use these units free of charge in their own home school only. These units may not be reprinted in any other form, for any other purpose (commercial or otherwise) without permission from Cindy Downes. Contact her at contact@oklahomahomeschool.com.

Insects/Bugs Unit Study
Here are some ideas to get you started. (Grade level next to item is interest level, not reading level.) Read over General Directions for Cindy's Unit Studies for information on how to teach a multi-level unit.

Did you know that there is a monument in Enterprise, Alabama, dedicated to the Boll Weevil? Yes, it's true! The citizens erected the statue in gratitude to the insect because it ended their dependence on cotton resulting in a more robust economy. Here are photos:

Spring is a great time to study insects and bugs. Boys and girls are both fascinated with bugs. And studying insects gives everyone a chance to get outside while doing schoolwork. Why not get started in your study by watching this short music video: Icky Icky Insects

Textbook Activities:

• All About Insects by Evan-Moor. This is a wonderful resource for PreK-2nd grade. 209 pages. Fun!

• Creepy Crawlies (Internet Quests), Grades 1-6. Learn about insects by visiting web sites and completing reproducible worksheets related to the website information. Includes CD. ISBN 0743934083.

• God Created Insects. Learn about God's creations, the insects. Coloring pages and text with a Christian emphasis. (K-6)

• The World of Insects and Arachnids , Great Science Adventures. Learn about insects by creating booklets and doing hands-On lab activities. Grades 3-6, ISBN 1929683081.

• Suggested activities from Insects: Investigating Science by Mailbox. Grades 1-3.

  • Build an insect, pg. 5
  • It Takes All Sorts, pg. 7
  • Insects by the Inch, pg. 8
  • Bug Quest, pg. 9
  • Journals, pg. 14
  • Pasta-live changes, pg. 15
  • Sip, Don’t Slurp, pg. 17
  • Ladybug Model Insect, pg. 20
  • Ladybug’s Life Cycle, pg. 21
  • Buzzing Through Life, pg. 27
  • Who “Bee-longs” Here?, pg. 27
  • Do You See What a Bee Sees, pg. 28
  • Well Dressed Bee, pg. 28
  • Getting the Facts, pg. 32
  • Grasshopper’s Life Cycle, pg. 33
  • A Word About Crickets and Grasshoppers, pg. 34
  • Sing a Song of Insects, pg. 3
  • Edible Ants, pg. 39
  • Fly eyes, pg 4
  • Termite Towns, pg. 45

Activities:

• Collect some insects and spiders in a jar with lid that has air holes. Identify them with this online Bugfinder Database.

• Listen to some Insect Sounds.

• Create a booklet, poster or venn diagram that illustrates the difference between insects, centipedes, and spiders.

• Create an insect identification book. Either draw or cut out pictures of insects, paste them on a notebook page and label.

• Make a drawing of the main parts of insects

• Make a drawing of the main parts of spiders

• Make a list of insects that are helpful to humans and those that are harmful

• Research the various methods of insect control.

• Research how insects fit into the food chain.

• Create an Insect Lap Book.

• Join a Bug Club. Do some activities while you are there.

• Watch video on Butterfly Metamorphosis:

Internet Activities:

• BillyBear4Kids.com (Butterfly and Bugs), crossword puzzles, cutouts, crafts, flashcards, bookmarks, and more: (PreK-6)

• Where do Butterflies Come From? Fun activity illustrating metamorphosis. (PreK-6)

• Butterfly Site from USGS. Includes images, species search, and location maps. All ages.

• Butterfly Fun at PrimaryGames.com. (1-6)

• Butterflies, Mad About Metamorphosis. (1-6)

• Insects at Enchanted Learning. (3-8)

• Insects at Sci4Kids. (1-6)

• Entomology for Beginners. (1-6)

• Bug Snacks! (K-6)

• Bug Coloring Pages (PreK-2)

• Creepy Crawlie Bug Webquest. (gr. 2-4)

• Insect recipes from Iowa State Dept of Entomology. (recipes using real bugs for the brave!) All ages.

• Tarantula Cake - this tastes better, but it's creepy!

• Insect activities including recipes from University of KY Dept of Entomology. (K-6)

• Ant Antivities from 123Child. (K-6)

• Name that Bug game from Terminix and Insect Activities from Western Exterminator. (K-6)

• Bug on a Wire and other insect games. (1-6)

• Insect with a bomb in its belly.

• Do some insect crafts. Note: this page requires a $24/year membership, but it's worth it! If you can't afford the membership, you can still get some good ideas here. Bee crafts. Buggy Studies. PreK-6

• Insect Worksheets including Bingo, Wordsearch, Crossword puzzle and thematic writing paper. (K-6)

• Insect Learning Pages include coloring pages, thematic writing paper, labeling, and other worksheets. (K-6)

• Insect Memory Match. (K-6)

Lab Kit Activities:

• Butterfly Garden. Come with easy-to-assemble observation chamber; supplies for feeding the butterflies (you provide only sugar and water); an informative booklet of clear instructions and butterfly facts; and a certificate for three to five free painted lady caterpillars.

• Ladybug Land. A metamorphosis kit for ladybugs! Watch nature work its magic as you see ladybugs change from cute little larvae into adult beetles in their own Ladybug Land. Certificate for 15-20 ladybug larvae and food. Fun filled fact and instruction guide included.

Field Trip Suggestion:

• Visit a bee/honey farm

Reading Suggestions:

• On Beyond Bugs: All About Insects (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library) by Tish Rabe. 48 pgs., color illus. K-3rd+

• The Best Book of Bugs by Clare Llewellyn, Kingfisher, 1998, color, 32 pgs, K-4+

• Big Book of Bugs (DK EyeWonder) by Penelope York. 48 pgs, color, 2-6

• Bugs, Beetles, and Butterflies by Harriet Ziefert. Viking Science Easy to Read, K-3+

• Chirping Crickets (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science) by Melvin Berger. Picture. K-6+

• Creepy, Crawly Caterpillars by Margery Facklam. K-8+, illustrated

• Do Bugs Have Noses? by Debbie Anderson, Christian. K-6 (available at Christian bookstores)

• The Ant: Energetic Worker (Face-to-Face) by Luc Gomel. 2-6+

• Find the Insect (Welcome Books: Hide and Seek) by Cate Foley, insect camouflage, K-3+

• Fireflies (Early Bird Nature Books) by Sally Walker, color, 48 pgs, Excellent! K-6

• The Honey Makers by Gail Gibbons. picture book, K-4+

• Insects (True Books: Animals) by Melissa Stewart. K-6+

• Extremely Weird Insects by Sarah Lovett. color, 32 pgs, K-6

• The Magic School Bus : Insect Invaders (Chapter Book #11), K-6

• Monster Bugs (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3), Step Into Reading, Step 2, K-3+

• Practical Entomologist by Rick Imes. Intro to insects w/activities. 6-12

• Spider (Killer Creatures) by David Jefferis. 32 pgs, color, K-6

• What's That Bug? : Everyday Insects and Their Really Cool Cousins by Nan Froman. 4-8+

VIDEOS:

YouTube: Introduction to Entomology Part 1 and Part 2 from the Master Gardener series. 1 hour each. Instruction material at http://ucmgvideo.ucanr.org. 7-12)

Other Videos:

City of Bees video, 7-12 Moody Video (Check your library. Also available through Christian bookstores.)

Tell Me Why Insects (Check your library.)

Be sure to enter these topics on your copy of The Checklist.

Please let me know if any of these links do not work. Email: contact@oklahomahomeschool.com.

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