Huge Unit on Insects

This long visual post highlights my unit on insects.

 Here is how you can do it for your class:

1. Collect dead specimens and put them in tiny boxes. They keep for many years. Look under rocks, under bushes, in the eaves of the garage and keep the porch light on to attract them.

2. Cut up insect books and magazines to make matching cards and corresponding pictures.

3. Draw like a child so your students can copy your master images.

4. Find workbook black line drawings to use as "parts of" masters. Image Google black line spider, for example.

5. Write little descriptions of the bugs for " Who Am I? " cards.

6. Be obsessed with making this unit. Teachers go through "sensitive periods" of learning, also!

7. When it is done you will have this loved unit for many years to make your science area shine!
Parents love doing these works as much as the kids!

Here goes! Remember, I have been teaching for a very long time. This unit evolved over years.

Scorpions / Tarantulas / Spiders

Bees

Butterflies

Cicadas and Cicada Killer Wasps

Ants

Beetles

Grasshoppers

Praying Mantis

Flies

Cricket and Mosquito

Start with one bug that is laying on your porch now.

This tiny, hidden world of insects is all around you.

Observe, collect, and create! 

That is a Montessori teacher.

And have fun! And love bugs!!

Teach your children to observe and love insects, not step on them and scream. 

They will remember these lessons for life.

 I will do a curriculum search for the dead ladybug under your bush :

 Pictures:  http://duncraft.atom5.com/butterflies-bees-lad-3213.html

 Black line for Parts of Cards:  http://www.openclipart.org/detail/79471/ladybug-line-art-by-gammillian

Craft: http://villagefamilymag.org/2011/06/08/craft-ladybug-toss/

Cooking:  http://www.parenting.com/article/how-to-make-a-ladybugs-cake