Order your very own caterpillars from here!
Icky Insects
SETTING THE STAGE
To set the mood for your study of insects, you will need to adjust your classroom atmosphere. By studying insects, you can literally turn your classroom into the out doors. You can hang green streamers from the ceiling. Hang bug poetry and pictures all over the room. You may want to set up the listening center with books featuring insects. Also set up the reading center with some books about insects. (Suggested book titles are included at the end of this lesson) You may also wish to purchase several types of plastic insects and scatter them about the room. Decorate a king size sheet with a picture of the outside to give your room that out doorsy feel to it. Allow the children access to bug catchers and nets. This will allow them to capture insects and observe them. Take sentence strips and write the names of as many insects as possible on them. Post those about the room. Post the insects characteristics about the room on sentence strips. This will help the children to remember them because they will see it daily. When studying insects, there is such a wide variety of sources for items that you could really go all out in decorating your classroom while keeping costs at a minimum.
OVERVIEW
This lesson will help students to begin studying insects. It will introduce them to their basic characteristics. An insects basic characteristics are the following: 1. 6 legs 2. 2 antennae 3. 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) 4. Possibly 2 or 4 wings 5. Goes through 4 stages egg, larva, pupa, adult 6. Exoskeleton (hard outer covering) 7. Breathes through spiracles / trachea
ITV SERIES Eyewitness Series- Insects
Other suggested resources: Bill Nye the Science Guy- Insects
Check the audio/visual resources catalog available to all Duval County School Board employees. It has an excellent selection of multi-media technology free for teachers to use in their classrooms.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students should be able to: Identify the basic insect characteristics: 1. 6 legs 2. 2 antennae 3. 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) 4. Possibly 2 or 4 wings 5. Goes through 4 stages egg, larva, pupa, adult 6. Exoskeleton (hard outer covering) 7. Breathes through spiracles / trachea
MATERIALS You will need the following for your insect study: 1. Creepy Crawlies Graph sheets (included at the end of this lesson) 2. Bug Patterns (included at the end of this lesson) 3. Crayons, markers etc. 4. Scissors 5. Popsicle sticks (1 per child) 6. Glue
PREVIEWING ACTIVITIES
Teacher: “We are going to begin our study of a very special group of animals today.” Now list on the chalkboard several insects.
Bee, Ant, Beetle, Roach, Fly, Cricket etc.
Teacher: “Now look at these animals. Can anyone tell me what they have in common.”
Listen to the children’s answers. Gear them toward identifying the basic characteristics of insects:
1. 6 legs 2. 2 antennae 3. 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) 4. Possibly 2 or 4 wings 5. Goes through 4 stages egg, larva, pupa, adult 6. Exoskeleton (hard outer covering) 7. Breathes through spiracles / trachea
Once you have finished going over the characteristics, have the children identify other possible insects. This would be an appropriate time in which to explain to the children that spiders are not insects.
FOCUS FOR VIEWING
Teacher: “Now we are going to watch a video on insects. This will give us a better picture of what it is like to be an insect. However, before we do that, we must become insects ourselves.”
Now, at this point you will need to pass out a different insect pattern to color to each student. These patterns are included at the end of this lesson. Also pass out a popsicle stick per child, crayons, glue, and scissors.
Teacher:” Now children, I want you to color your insect. Once you are finished, cut the insect out and glue it to your popsicle stick.” (Have a sample for the children to see)
Now allow the children to do this. When they are finished, you will need to explain to them what they need to watch for in the video. For your children who finish their insects fast, you may wish to have a bug word search on hand for them to do while they are waiting for the others.
Teacher: “Now that our insects our finished, I want you to raise those insects into the air when you see something important on the video. Lets practice that. When I say insect, I want everyone to raise their insect into the air. All right, 1, 2, 3, and Insect!” (Children should wave their insect in the air).
Teacher: “Excellent! Now lets watch the video.”
VIEWING ACTIVITIES
START at the beginning.
Stop: ..for every one of us. Question: What do you think they are? Answer: Insects or bugs
Stop: .. insects are everywhere. Question: Where are insects? Answer: They are in the water, above ground, below ground, in the air, at the tropics, in the arctic, in the deserts and everywhere else on earth.
Stop: .. and the thorax in the middle. Question: How many body parts does an insect have? Answer: 3 Question: Name them Answer: The head, thorax, and abdomen.
Stop: .. and most have wings. Question: What else do all insects have in common? Answer: They all have wings and are invertebrates. Question: What is an invertebrate? Answer: It means that is has no backbone.
Stop: ..of certain man made bugs. Question: What is the outer protection of an insect called? Answer: An exoskeleton.
Stop: ..body length is limited to 6 inches. Question: Why don’t insects get very big? Answer: It is because their exoskeleton would be too heavy to carry. Question: Why else? Answer: It is because their respiratory system is so limited due to the fact that they do not have lungs. Question: About how big can they get? Answer: About 6 inches.
Stop: ..on insects for pollination. Question: Without insects, would we have fruit? Answer: No Question: Why? Answer: It is because insects pollinate the flowers on the plants that produce fruit.
Stop: ..some leaving entire populations destitute. Question: Are all insects good for crops? Answer: No Question: Why? Answer: It is because they eat the crops.
Stop: . and eventually a winged adult emerges from the shell. Question: What are the phases an insect goes through? Answer: Egg, Larva, Pup, and Adult. Question: What is this process called? Answer: A complete metamorphosis.
Stop: . and finally a winged adult emerges. Question: What is a young dragonfly called? Answer: A nymph Question: Does it go through a complete metamorphosis? Answer: No, it goes through an incomplete metamorphosis by which it continues to molt until it looks like its parents.
Stop: .. give a blurred image by comparison of what we see. Question: How do insects see? Answer: Through compound eyes which are made up of many lenses.
Stop: ..to insects it stands out like an orange beacon. Question: What are insects eyes sensitive to? Answer: They are sensitive to colors.
Stop: .why its often difficult to swat a fly. Question: Why is it difficult to swat a fly? Answer: It is because they can see the slightest movement.
Stop: ..from just a single molecule. Question: How do insects communicate? Answer: They communicate through sounds and pheromones. Question: What is a pheromone? Answer: It is like a perfume.
Stop: ..into an explosion of hot quanic acid. Question: What else do insects use chemicals for? Answer: Defense
Stop: ..others match the plants they live on. Question: How else do these insects protect themselves? Answer: By camouflage.
Stop: ..because these colors mean poison. Question: So, do you think a bird would eat a ladybug? Answer: No Question: Why? Answer: It is because the colors warn the bird that it is poisonous and tastes bad.
Stop: ..and nourishes their grubs or larvae. Question: What do bees make? Answer: Honey Question: Why? Answer: They make it for food during the winter.
POST VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Comprehension Check: You may also conclude the video by doing the following. For this activity you will need several insect pictures to label, crayons, and markers. These are included at the end of the lesson. Pass out one to each child. Be sure to have several different pictures. Throw in a few pictures of spiders to insure that the children will remember that a spider is not an insect. Have the children color and label the parts of their insect.
Math Post Viewing Activity: For this activity, you will need some gummy bugs which are called Creepy Crawlies. They are found near the fruit snack in the grocery store. You will also need the graph and question sheet located at the end of this lesson.
Pass out the creepy crawlies. Have the children estimate how many insects are in their package. Once they have written their guess on their sheet, have the children to open their package and count how many they actually have. Have them write their answer. Next, have them add various insects together according to what is indicated on their sheet. Then have them graph the various insects. You can even extend this activity by introducing bar graphs at this point to the children. To teach the children about bar graphs, have them choose their favorite insect. You can then have them color their favorite insect. Insect patterns can be found almost anywhere. Once they have colored their favorite insect, create a graph of them on some bulletin board paper or even on the chalkboard. You can then get into explaining the parts of a bar graph and how to read them. Another graph you can create is to have the children choose and color their favorite ladybug. Since ladybugs can be red, orange or yellow, allow the children to select and color their favorite. You can graph this as well. You can even graph the insects favorite foods, favorite homes and so on.
ACTION PLAN
Go on a nature walk and capture some insects to study. Invest in an ant farm and document their activities. Invite an entomologist into the classroom. Have them discuss insect and how they became an entomologist. Visit the local museum. Go on a field trip to various nature sites such as Pelotes Island, Carey State Park, UNF Nature Trail etc.
EXTENSIONS
Art Activities:
Egg Carton Caterpillars: Materials: paint, paint brushes, glue, construction paper, pipe cleaners, cotton balls, and egg cartons Methods: First, cut the egg cartons into sections of three. Next, glue the egg carton to a sheet of construction paper Then paint the egg carton. Allow the carton to dry. Next, glue some cotton balls to the top of the carton. Place two pipe cleaners into the front of the egg carton. Draw on eyes and a face. You now have a caterpillar.
Tissue Butterflies Materials: tissue paper (cut into strips 1 inch by 4 inches) of assorted colors, butterfly pattern (included), glue, scissors Methods: First, have the children cut out their butterfly pattern. Next, give the children several scraps of tissue paper along with glue. Have the children then ball up the tissue paper as tight as they can. Glue the wadded paper onto the butterfly pattern. Make sure that the children do not place the same color next to one another. Also make sure this covers every part of the paper. Now you have a butterfly.
Bug Mobiles Using the various bug patterns, have the children color the insects. Next, have the children punch holes in their pictures. Tie string to them and then hang them at various lengths from a hanger or even a stick.
Bug Houses: For this you will need markers, crayon, construction paper, small cardboard milk cartons, string, and glue. First, glue construction paper over the milk carton to cover the writing. Once it dries, have the children decorate the carton. Indicate that they should make it look like the out doors with pictures of flowers, leaves, bugs, etc. Next, hang them outside near some flowers on a tree. Have the children then watch to see if they get any visitors.
Ladybug Rocks: For this project you will need small oval shaped rocks, pencils, various colors of acrylic paint, and paintbrushes. Next, have the children pick a rock and sketch a ladybug on it. Provide a sample. Then, have the children paint one color. Allow the paint to dry and then paint another color. This project may take several days but the end product is worth it.
Bee Bank: For this project, you will need 1 gallon plastic juice bottle (like Welch’s etc.) with lid, acrylic black/yellow paint, 6” diameter foam ball, two sheets white craft foam, scrap of black felt, 2 2” wiggle eyes, 2” diameter black pom pom, 2 black pipe cleaners, 6 plastic soda lids, glue, knife, paintbrush, and newspaper. First, scrape label off bottle. Cut a slit on the side of the bottle large enough for the largest coin to be inserted. Paint the body using wide black and yellow stripes. Cut a 2” section from the foam ball. Paint it yellow. Glue it to the bottom of the bottle. Next, make the wings. To do that, cut out 2 shapes like the one below from the foam. Glue the wings between the body and head. Glue the pom pom to the foam ball. Also press the two black pipe cleaners into the ball to make the antennas. Cut out eyelashes from the spare black felt. Glue the wiggly eyes on. Then paint the 6 soda lids black and glue them to the bottom of the bottle as shown below. This will prevent the bank from rolling. Your bank is now complete. Insect Bank: For this you will need a coffee can, white spray paint, assorted acrylic paints, pencils, paintbrushes, and a knife. Begin by spray painting the coffee can and lid white. Have the children then sketch a nature scene onto the can. Paint with the acrylic paints. But a hole in the lid large enough for coins. You are now finished.
Ant Prints: Using the poem Underground, have the children write the poem in their neatest handwriting. Next, glue the poem to a sheet of construction paper. Then, have the children place their fingers on an ink pad. Have them then place their fingers on the paper in such a way as to form an ant. Placing three fingerprints in a row will do this. Then draw on the legs, antennae, and eyes. Decorate the rest of the picture.
Under the Ground
What is under the grass, Way down in the ground, Where everything is cool and wet With darkness all around?
Little pink worms live there; Ants and brown bugs creep Softly round the stones and rocks Where roots are pushing deep.
Do you hear us walking On the grass above their heads; Hear us running over While they snuggle in their beds?
Design an Insect: Gather the following materials: pipe cleaners, popsicle stick, feathers, football shakers, wiggle eyes, construction paper, glue, glitter. Next, after talking about ants, and looking at insect pictures. Give the kids all of the materials and let them design their own ants.
Paper Plate Ladybugs: Have each child paint a paper plate red. After the paint dries have the child add black spots of paint or paper on the back of the lady bug.
Spider Web Art: Place a piece of black paper in a box and supply the children with a few marbles covered in white paint. Place the marbles in the box and have the child shake the box to make a spider web. You can then have the children make their own spider for the web by using a pompom, pipe cleaners, and wiggle eyes. Be creative!
Pipe Cleaner Spiders: Provide the children with pipe cleaners to make spiders. Have the children twist the pipe cleaners together to form a body and legs.
Busy Bugs Headbands: Have the children cut out two strips of paper that when connected will fit around their head. Connect the strips with glue or tape. Supply the children with two pipe cleaners and have them shape them however they want to and tape them on the inside of the headband.
Caterpillars: Supply the children with many different circles to glue onto a piece of paper to make a caterpillar. Have the children draw on the legs and facial features or use yarn for the legs.
Fingerprint Bugs : Supply each child with a piece of white paper and different colored non-toxic stamp pads. Show the child how to make fingerprints on the paper, using only one finger at a time. When finished, add legs and antennae with a black pen, or for older children, have them add the legs and antennae.
Clothespin Butterflies : Obtain the old fashion style one piece clothespins (wooden) Allow the children to paint the clothespins with bright colors. When dry, ask the child to pick a piece of tissue paper for the wings. Fold the paper in half, and then scrunch the tissue into the opening in the clothespin. Then have the child pick out a pipe cleaner, and tie the pipe cleaner around the knob of the clothespin for antennae.
Butterfly Ink Blot : Cut out a butterfly shape on white paper, the shape should be symmetrical. Fold the paper in half, and ask the child to paint half of the butterfly. When the child is finished, ask him/her to press the paper halves together, so that both sides will look the same. Have the child rub the folded paper. Open the paper, and you have a butterfly with matching wings.
Spelling Activities:
You can have several weeks worth of spelling words that are entirely insect related. Instead of working from the textbook for those weeks, the children can do several things instead.
Activity 1: First they can create insect word searches. Go to www.puzzlemaker.com to make some word searches.
Activity 2: They can make and play their own Insect Memory Game by putting their words on index cards and then matching them.
Activity 3: They can draw and paint their spelling words as well.
Activity 4: They can write poetry using their spelling words.
Activity 5: You can also have the children create an insect alphabet. They must list a word that relates to insects to begin with each letter of the alphabet. They can do this in teams or alone.
Possible Spelling Words
insect wing scale bug fly caterpillar mosquito cockroach tick bee butterfly hive firefly ant beetle egg grasshopper metamorphosis ladybug larva termite swarm nymph wasp pupa maggots cocoon flea adult dragonfly praying mantis mantids head moth cricket drone antennae thorax habitat entomologist nectar gnat abdomen chrysalis mandible invertebrate
Writing Activities:
Activity 1: First of all, you can have the children read some poetry about insects. Included with this unit is some. Next, you can discuss the properties of poetry such as rhyme and rhythm. Use some poems as examples. Then have the children write some poetry about insects on their own.
Activity 2: Next, you can have the children write a short story in which they are an insect of their choice. First have them imagine what it would be like to be an insect for a day. Brainstorm on what that would be like. Have them tell what they would do, what they would eat, how would they see, and so on and so forth. Then, have them write about it. Revise the writings and then publish them.
Activity 3: You can even take this a step further and create a class book. Publish all of the children's stories and then bind them in a book.
Listening/Speaking Center:
To enhance the children's listening skills, you can set up a listening center where the children listen to stories about insects. There are several books on tape that deal with insects. The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in the Pants or There was an Old Woman Who.... are some examples. Require the children to listen to them. You can take this a step further by compiling questions about what they listened to and having the children answer those questions in writing without using the book. To enhance listening skills, you can do several things. First, you can put on a play about insects. There is a play in the book called The Bug Book by Robin Bernard. You can even act out some of the books on tape if you are unable to locate any bug plays. You can tie this into writing by having the class possibly even write a play together. Then the children could act out the play.
Reading Activities
Activity 1: First, you can read Charlotte's Web as a class. Many libraries have enough copies for a class. You can develop questions and games to test reading comprehension as the children read. Once finished with the story, the children can write a book report on the story. The children may also create wanted posters of the main insects or bugs in the story.
Activity 2: Read several big books on bugs as a class. Discuss what was read. Have the children answer questions on the stories. Have the children create story cubes on the books. A story cube is a small box in which each side has a drawing of something that occurred in the story.
Activity 3: Have the children create their own big book on bugs. To do this, have each child or group select a bug of their choice. Their job is to then research that insect. They must then gather up as much information as possible on that insect. Next, have them write and illustrate a story about that insect. They can then publish their story in the form of a big book.
Activity 4: Choose a story about an insect. Have the class read the story together. (For example, The Very Hungry Caterpillar or The Grouch Ladybug by Eric Carle.) Then retell the story by creating a big book about the story or a diorama.
Math Activities
Addition/Subtraction with regrouping: Use this unit as an opportunity to review addition and subtraction skills with regrouping. First of all, purchase some plastic bugs. You can get them by the gross from Oriental Trading Magazine or even a dollar store. Next, introduce the addition with regrouping by using the bugs as manipulative. The students love it when you have them add using those plastic bugs. You can also use the bugs when reviewing the subtraction with regrouping.
Multiplication: Use the plastic bugs to teach the students multiplication. In addition to the bugs, you will also need paper plates or cups. To begin, introduce a sample multiplication problem. 4 X 2 = ?. Tell the students that 4 X 2 is another way of saying 4 GROUPS of 2 BUGS in each group. You then take 4 plates and place 2 plastic bugs on each plate. Have one of the students then combine all the plates together and add up the bugs. They will see that 4 GROUPS with 2 BUGS in each group gives them a SUM of 8 bugs. By introducing multiplication this way, you are demonstrating to the children how to apply a math skill to solve the problem rather than use rote memory. Do several examples like this. Then allow the children to solve the problems. Measurement: To teach the children measurement such as inches or centimeters, have them measure some plastic insects. If you are unable to get some plastic insects, you can always make some insect patterns and have the children measure those. It is a fun way to teach measuring things by using something all children are interested in which is bugs.
Bar Graphs : To teach the children about bar graphs, have them choose their favorite insect. You can then have them color their favorite insect. Insect patterns can be found almost anywhere. Once they have colored their favorite insect, create a graph of them on some bulletin board paper or even on the chalkboard. You can then get into explaining the parts of a bar graph and how to read them. Another graph you can create is to have the children choose and color their favorite ladybug. Since ladybugs can be red, orange or yellow, allow the children to select and color their favorite. You can graph this as well. You can even graph the insects favorite foods, favorite homes and so on.
"The Grouchy Ladybug" Clock: Make a clock face on a round piece of red paper (draw numbers around one side of the circle). On the other side of the circle make ladybug spots. Attach black strips of paper for the legs and a black circle head. Attach the clock arms with a brass fastener. As you read the story have the children adjust the clocks to the time in the story.
Science Activities
Activity 1: Have the children select an insect. They are to then research that insect and write a paper on it. You can even require the children to make a model of their insect.
Activity 2: Take the children on bug hunts around the school. Have them observe what the insects are doing. Have them keep a log of what they see.
Activity 3: Have the children capture ants and make their own ant farm. You can purchase farms fairly cheaply at any nature store. Have the children observe and keep a log of what the ants are doing. You can also have the children capture a caterpillar. They can then keep it in a big box or jar. Place a some grass, dirt and leaves in the jar. Observes what happens to the caterpillar after a certain length of time. Have the children log the changes the caterpillar goes through. You can also purchase butterfly kits at any nature store. A kit will insure success.
Activity 4: Have the children choose an insect and then create a chart of its life cycle. They must draw a picture of the insect at each of its stages. Display these life cycles throughout the room
Activity 5: Have the children catch some fruit flies. To do this, take some cut papaya and place it in a jar. Leave it by an open window. Wait some time. After a few days, put a paper towel over the top of the jar and rubber band it shut. Observe what happens over several days.
Activity 6: Have the children take notes in outline form of what they have learned in science that day. This takes a lot of planning on the teacher's part but it is worth it in the end. The teacher should write the notes on an overhead and have the children copy them. This teaches them note taking.
Poems/Pocket Chart Fillers/Songs:
Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee
I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee, Won't my mamma be so proud of me
I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee
Ouch! That bumblebee stung me!
I'm smashing up my baby bumblebee, Won't my mamma be so proud of me
I'm smashing up my baby bumble bee
Yuck! It's all over me!
I'm licking up my baby bumblebee, Won't my mamma be so proud of me
I'm licking up my baby bumblebee
Ugh I don't feel so good!
I'm throwing up my baby bumble bee, Won't my mamma be so proud of me
I'm throwing up my baby bumble bee.
Uh-Oh Here comes Mommy
Bee Hive
This is my bee hive (put hands together)
(loud) but where are the bees?
Hidden inside where nobody sees
One, two, three, four, five, (raising up fingers)
There they go, off to the trees (point)
Caterpillar Change
There was a little caterpillar crawling all about. (Walk with fingers on
arm)
He worked and he worked without a doubt. (Wiggle fingers)
Wrapping himself in a snug cocoon.(Wrap other hand around fingers)
Waiting and waiting, will it be soon? (hold fingers)
Look, he's coming out, my oh my! (raise arms in excitement)
For now he's become a beautiful butterfly (Cross thumbs and flap hands
like wings)
Six Silly Spiders
Six silly spiders standing in a row (Hold up three fingers on each hand)
They just do not know where to go (Wiggle fingers.)
But when someone comes to spray (pretend to spray water)
They will be off on their way (wiggle fingers away.)
In the sea are seven seals. (Hold up three finger and four fingers.)
Swimming and splashing are some of their skills. (Pretend to swim.)
Soon the seals are surprised (Throw hand up as surprised.)
By a fish that’s twice their size. (Hold arms wide)
Swim, little seals, as swiftly as you ca (Pretend to swim fast.)
Or there may be only six in your clan (Hold up three fingers on each hand)
Wasps on the Wall
5 wasps were on the wall (hold up all fingers.)
How could they hurt me, they are so small! (shrug shoulders and put hands
out)
I’ll spray some water, so they will fall (pretend to spray a spray
bottle)
Uh oh! I’d better run! They’re after me, five wasps in all! (Wiggle
fingers.)
The Caterpillar
The fuzzy little caterpillar went up into a tree (act like your
climbing)
spun his cocoon and then (yawn) went to sleep (spin hands)
While he was sleeping he dreamt that he could fly (making flying
motion)
When he woke up (loud, excited) he was a butterfly.
Buzzing Bees
Bees, Bees, Bees, Bees
Buzzing in bushes and buzzing in trees
Buzzing around, wherever they please
There's nothing so sweet
As sweet as a honey bee.
Hunting Bugs
A-hunting we will go
A -hunting we will go
We'll catch a (insert any insect here)
and put it in a box
(loudly) and then we'll let it go!
Caterpillar in a Box
A fuzzy caterpillar wiggled down a tree
He wiggled long, he wiggled short, he wiggled right at me.
I put him in a box and said Please don't go from me,
But when I looked again, I saw a butterfly not he.
Now I could never make a butterfly, even if I tried.
Cause only God in Heaven, can make a butterfly.
The Ants Go Marching
The ants go marching one by one. . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching one by one. . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching one by one
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching
Down, to the ground
Boom, Boom, BoomThe ants go marching two by two . . . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching two by two . . . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching two by two
The little one stops to tie his shoe
And they all go marching
Down, to the ground
Boom, Boom, BoomThe ants go marching three by three . . . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching three by three . . . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching three by three
The little one stops cause he skinned his knee
And they all go marching
Down, to the ground
Boom, Boom, BoomThe ants go marching four by four . . . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching four by four . . . Hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching four by four
The little one stops to shut the door
And they all go marching
Down to the ground
Boom Boom Boom
Caterpillar (Sung To "Row, row your boat")
One caterpillar , two caterpillars, three caterpillars today.
Four caterpillars, five caterpillars eating all the day.
One cocoon, two cocoons three cocoons today.
Four cocoons, five cocoons sleeping all the day.
One butterfly, two butterflies three butterflies today.
Four butterflies, five butterflies, flying, flying away.
The Little Caterpillar (Sung to "Itsy, Bitsy Spider")
The little caterpillar crawled up into a tree,
Spun his cocoon and slept so quietly,
All through the winter he didn't make a sound,
He dreamt of his new life when he'd be flying all around.
While he was sleeping the snow did gently fall,
Winter came and went, then her heard the robin's call,
Come on Mr. Butterfly, out of your cocoon
Spread your wings and fly for me, while I sing my tune.
Fuzzy Caterpillar
The fuzzy caterpillar curled up on a leaf.
Spun her little chrysalis and then fell fast asleep.
While she was sleeping, she dreamed that she could fly.
And later when she woke up, she was a butterfly.
Reference Links:
Iowa State Entomology Department
- Butterflies Etc.
- Order your own caterpillar with a plant!
Using Live Insects in the Elementary Classroom
Dept. of Entomology: Texas A & M
Lesson Plans/Theme Unit Links
School Express: Download free Butterfly unit
Kathy Schrock's Insect Lesson Plans
Learning Page- AN EXCELLENT SITE! It is worth it to join (It's FREE!!) and you'll have access to lots of theme related science pages!
Enchanted Learning: Butterfly Crafts
Teaching is a Work of Heart: Insects
