Thursday, May 24, 2018

BUG OFF!

Bugs are everywhere this time of year and children are fascinated by these little critters. Here’s a simple song to sing to the tune of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” where children can learn the basic body parts of insects.

INSECT’S BODY
Head (Point to head.)
Thorax (Point to chest.)
Abdomen – abdomen! (Point to stomach.)
Head, thorax, abdomen – abdomen!
And eyes (Point to eyes.)
And mouth (Point to mouth.)
And antennae, two (Stick 2 fingers up.)
Six legs (Wiggle 3 fingers on each hand.)
And there’s an insect for you!
(Leave off a verse each time you sing and hum.)

Bug Hunt – Give children pipe cleaners that they can twist into a magnifying glass shape. Let them use these to hunt for bugs on the playground. 
*They could also use clipboards to draw insects that they find outside.
                        

Entomologist – Explain that an entomologist is a person who studies insects. Brainstorm different ways that they can study insects, such as checking out books at the library, looking on the internet, and so forth.

Carolyn Kisloski (ckisloski.blogspot.com) and I have a FREE “Bugs and Insects” packet for you.  There are 40 pages (QR Codes, Prezis, children's books, writing prompts) of hands-on activities and games.  
                                   
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bugs-and-Insects-Unit-2513730

Swat the Fly
Cut flies out of construction paper and write numerals on them. Tape to the wall or staple to a bulletin board. Give one child a fly swatter and have them turn their back to the wall as you say this rhyme: 
            Turn around and swat the fly. 
            Tell me the number that you spy. 
The child turns around, swats a fly, and identifies the number. 

*Write letters, words, etc. on the flies. 

*Make a game with two teams. One child from each team holds a fly swatter. The teacher calls out a number, word, math fact, etc. and the first child to swat it correctly wins a point for their team. 

                    

Bug Me
Cut bugs out of construction paper and write letters, numerals, words, etc. on them. Place on the floor or tape to a wall. 

Download the fly and bug pattern here: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljS2NweVFYTlVTVWs/view?usp=sharing