10 weeks of Fun and Fascinating Bug Lessons
Spring and Summer are the perfect time to explore all that mother nature has to offer. These seasons bring forth the emergence of millions of insects and other creepy crawlies. If you have students that are fascinated or maybe even terrified of all small crawling creatures, then these 10 weeks of fun and fascinating bug lessons will help them see the incredible characteristics of the many creatures that inhabit our world with us.
What is an Insect?
Scientists estimate that there are 1.4 billion insects that roam our earth. Insects are the most common group of invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals that have no backbone or skeleton inside of them. Instead, they have a tough outer shell for protection.
Insects have bodies that are divided into 3 sections: head, thorax, abdomen. They also have 6 jointed legs, an antennae and some insects have 2 pairs of wings. Most insects hatch from eggs, larvae or grubs.
Fun Facts about Insects:
-All insects are cold blooded. Sometimes bugs shake before they fly, that is to help warm up their flight muscles.
-Some adult insects only live a few hours!
-Insects do not have noses; they smell with their antennae, or feelers.
-Insects communicate with each other through flashing their lights, singing, dancing or using their own smells to signal each other.
Insect Activity for Kids:
Create an insect. Give students different materials like spoons or egg cartons, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, etc. let students create their own imaginary insect and then have them label the different parts with the correct name.
For more activities on What is an Insect?, check out this post for some fun ideas.
What is an Entomologist?
An entomologist is a scientist that studies insects. They spend their days classifying and researching the life cycles, habits and behaviors of insects. Their research helps develop ways to control pests, produce better crops, combat harmful insects and develop medicines and vaccines. Check out this short video that gives a good explanation about what Entomologist do.
Entomologist Activity: Let’s explore bugs
Encourage students to be their own Entomologist. Give them a magnifying glass and send them outside to explore. Check out this free scavenger hunt that can be used.
There are so many fun ways to learn about insects but the best way is through observation. Check out these Ant, ladybug and butterfly kits that would be a great way to get up close to them outside of their natural habitat.
If you want your students to dig deeper into the insect world you can check out my 10 week All about bugs unit study. There are 10 bug lessons that are covered in this unit that will help your students take a closer look at the wide world of insects and other small creatures that we encounter in our world. Here is a peak at what’s included in the unit.
All Bugged Out Unit Study: 10 Weeks of bug lessons
Lesson 1: What is an Insect?
Lesson 2: What is an entomologist? And other buggy jobs
Lesson 3: Ants
Lesson 4: Bees
Lesson 5: Butterflies
Lesson 6: Ladybugs
Lesson 7: Dragonflies
Lesson 8: Praying Mantis
Lesson 9: Spiders
Lesson 10: Snails
Students will have fun learning about bugs through videos, games, activities and art projects. Each bug lesson has been laid out so that the teacher can either read students the information about each bug or use it to prep for the lesson. Video links are included that give further information and insight into the life of each creature. Engaging activities keep students interested and learning as well as the accompanying art projects that most lessons have.
Angela is the Homeschool Encourager for the Overwhelmed & Under-Caffeinated and the Chaos-to-Confidence Specialist behind Schooling with Grace. With a no-fluff approach, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of heart, she helps homeschool moms cut through the chaos, ditch unrealistic expectations, and teach with confidence.