BUG ME

The Bug Dance
By Dr. Holly

Bugs, bugs everywhere!
Bugs, bugs everywhere!
On my shoulders, in my hair!
On my shoulders, in my hair!
Fat and lean ones, in-between ones
Fat and lean ones, in-between ones
Orange ones, red ones, pink and green ones!
Orange ones, red ones, pink and green ones!
Crickets, beetles, ladybugs too—
Crickets, beetles, ladybugs too—
One just landed on my shoe!
One just landed on my shoe!
Caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, ants
Caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, ants
One is crawling up my pants!
One is crawling up my pants!
I like bugs both big and small.
I like bugs both big and small.
I like them marching up the wall.
I like them marching up the wall.
I like them on flowers and in trees,
I like them on flowers and in trees,
But please, oh please, get them off of me!
But please, oh please, get them off of me!

Choral Reading – Teacher reads the first line and then children repeat it.

Thumbprint Bugs – Children make thumbprints on a page and then add details with markers to create bugs.

Play Dough Bugs – Let children create bugs out of play dough and sections of pipe cleaners. Encourage them to name their bugs.

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.


Insect’s Body
(Tune: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”)
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.)



Ants on a Log

Celery cut into 3-4” pieces
Peanut butter (substitute cream cheese if there are peanut allergies)
Raisins
Directions:
Let children spread the peanut butter or cream cheese in the log.
Place raisins/ants on the log.
Eat and enjoy!

"ANT" TICS

In keeping with the bug theme, how about some ANTics today!

Insect’s Body
(Tune: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”)
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.)

Anatomy of an Ant
Brainstorm how to find out more about ants. For example, you could look for a book in the library, search the internet, ask a scientist, observe an ant on the playground, etc.
Have children draw an insect and label the body parts.

The Ants Go Marching
(Tune: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”)
The ants go marching one by one, (Hold up one finger.)
Hurrah! Hurrah! (Fist in the air.)
The ants go marching one by one,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb, (Pretend to suck thumb.)
And they all go marching down, (Hands go down.)
To the ground,
To get out of the rain
Boom! Boom! Boom! (Pat thighs.)

Two by two…tie his shoe (Pretend to tie shoes.)
Three by three…climb a tree (Climb a tree.)
Four by four…shut the door (Shut the door.)
Five by five…boogie jive (Dance in place.)
Six by six…pick up sticks (Pick up sticks.)
Seven by seven…point to heaven (Point upwards.)
Eight by eight…learn to skate (Pretend to skate.)
Nine by nine…scratch his spine (Scratch spine.)
Ten by ten…That’s the end! (Snap fingers.)

Let children dramatize this song. Make headbands or let them wear number vests to indicate different verses in the song.

Ants on a Log

You will need:
Celery cut into 3-4” pieces
Peanut butter (substitute cream cheese if there are peanut allergies)
Raisins
Directions:
Let children spread the peanut butter or cream cheese in the log.
Place raisins/ants on the log.
Eat and enjoy!

*You know, I’ve been making this snack for years, but it will be a new treat for many children. Mmmm! I just ate the one I made for the picture and it still tastes pretty good after all these years!

BUGGY ON DOWN!

Spring brings butterflies and flowers, as well as bugs and insects. You might not be crazy about bugs, but I bet your kids will go "crazy" learning about them in this FREE packet that Carolyn Kisloski and I created for you!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bugs-and-Insects-Unit-2513730

You'll find QR Codes for books about bugs and insects.

You'll also find writing prompts.

How about some math games?

There's even a free song download of my "Insect" song.

INSECT’S BODY (Tune: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”)
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 and hum.)

Let children make insects from play dough, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, and other art media.

THE BUG DANCE

Warm weather and here come the bugs! I found this echo poem that Holly wrote several year ago. Read it and “let it be,” or try some of the other “buggy” activities.

The Bug Dance
By Dr. Holly

Bugs, bugs everywhere!
     Bugs, bugs everywhere!
On my shoulders, in my hair!
     On my shoulders, in my hair!
Fat and lean ones, in-between ones
     Fat and lean ones, in-between ones
Orange ones, red ones, pink and green ones!
     Orange ones, red ones, pink and green ones!
Crickets, beetles, ladybugs too—
     Crickets, beetles, ladybugs too—
One just landed on my shoe!
     One just landed on my shoe!
Caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, ants
     Caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, ants
One is crawling up my pants!
     One is crawling up my pants!
I like bugs both big and small.
     I like bugs both big and small.
I like them marching up the wall.
     I like them marching up the wall.
I like them on flowers and in trees,
     I like them on flowers and in trees,
But please, oh please, get them off of me!
     But please, oh please, get them off of me!


Choral Reading – Teacher reads the first line and then children repeat it.


Visual Imagery – Children close their eyes as they repeat the rhyme and “make pictures” in their brain.


Drawings – Have children illustrate the poem.


Bug Books – Check out books from the library and ask children, “What can you find out about bugs?” Encourage them to take notes and share what they learned.


Thumbprint Bugs – Children make thumbprints on a page and then add details with markers to create bugs.
                               

Bug Paintings – Cut paper to fit in a shoebox or similar box with a lid. Put plastic bugs in paint and then use a spoon to transfer them to the box. Put the lid on and shake the box. The bugs will “paint” a picture for you!
   

      

Play Dough – Let children create bugs out of play dough and sections of pipe cleaners. Encourage them to name their bugs.
                 

Things that Bug Me - Discuss different meanings of the word "bug." Let children draw pictures of things that "bug" them.


The Ants Go Marching  (Tune: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”)
The ants go marching one by one, (Hold up one finger.)
Hurrah! Hurrah! (Fist in the air.)
The ants go marching one by one,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb, (Pretend to suck thumb.)
And they all go marching down, (Hands go down.)
To the ground,
To get out of the rain
Boom! Boom! Boom! (Pat thighs.)

Two by two…tie his shoe (Pretend to tie shoes.)
Three by three…climb a tree (Climb a tree.)
Four by four…shut the door (Shut the door.)
Five by five…boogie jive (Dance in place.)
Six by six…pick up sticks (Pick up sticks.)
Seven by seven…point to heaven (Point upwards.)
Eight by eight…learn to skate (Pretend to skate.) 
Nine by nine…scratch his spine (Scratch spine.)
Ten by ten…That’s the end! (Snap fingers.)

Let children dramatize this song. Make headbands or let them wear number vests to indicate different verses in the song.