THREE BASIC LESSONS ON INSECTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

SESSION #2: A BUG'S LIFE

GOALS

(1) To help children learn how insects grow and develop (metamorphosis).

(2) To help children understand the basics of insect behavior - what they do and why.

PRE-SESSION PLANNING AND PREPARATION

(1) Read and study the "Insect Facts Children Should Know" for this session. Additional detailed information is available in the resource materials listed under "Resources For Leaders and Parents."

(2) Select your meeting activities and gather any necessary materials. Most of the activities will require that you gather some inexpensive materials. These include arts and crafts materials and some other household items. It is a good idea to make a practice mobile (to get the "hang" of assembling it); it can also be used as a demonstration sample.

(3) Snack suggestion: apple slices with honey on them.

SUGGESTED LESSON PLAN

(1) Explain how insects grow and shed their "skin" ("Insect Facts Children Should Know" #1). Give each child one of the insect maze sheets and explain how to do the activity.

(2) Talk about how insects are amazing change artists, changing in shape as they grow ("Insects Facts Children Should Know" #2).

(3) Have the children make their own insect life cycle mobiles.

(4) If you have time, try one of the following activities: "Insect Babies Concentration Card Game", "Baby Bug Swap", "Caterpillar Race", or "Bug Masks".

(5) Explain how some insects communicate with each other ("Insect Facts Children Should Know" #3).  Try the "Insect Sing-Along"activity.

(6) Talk about social insects ("Insect Facts Children Should Know" #4).

(7) Wrap up the meeting with "Talk Abouts" and "Planning Ahead Together".

INSECT FACTS CHILDREN SHOULD KNOW

(1) All insects hatch from tiny eggs. Insects need food, water and protection from the elements in order to grow successfully. As an insect feeds and grows on the inside, there comes a time when further growth is restricted by the hard external shell (exoskeleton) which does not grow. Insects have found a unique way to overcome this problem - they shed their exoskeleton and replace it with a larger one.

When an insect molts, the old exoskeleton splits down the back and the insect wiggles its way out of its covering. A new, large r shell will form in a matter of hours. After the molt is complete the insect resumes feeding and begins to grow inside again. Soon, another molt will be required. Insects may shed their exoskeletons from 4 - 40 times in their lives. Once an insect becomes a full-grown adult, however, it stops growing and molting.

(2) What do insects eat? There are insects that eat live plants (roots, stems, leaves and sap), paper, seeds, fruits, fabrics, other small animals, the blood of larger animals, dead animals and manure.

(3) The insects are amazing change artists: they actually change shape as they grow! This process of changing shape is known as metamorphosis. There are actually two ways that insects can "change shapes" - by gradual metamorphosis or by complete metamorphosis. In gradual metamorphosis the insects change their shape gradually each time they shed their exoskeleton. As the young insects grow they look more and more like their parents. In complete metamorphosis the insects go through a sudden, magnificent change from young to adult. The young insects that develop this way look very different from their parents. The best example is the caterpillar that changes into a beautiful butterfly or moth. The actual change from caterpillar to butterfly takes place within a protective chrysalis. The young (known as larvae) of those insects that go through complete metamorphosis have special names because they look so different from their parents. We call the larvae of butterflies and moths caterpillars, the larvae of flies maggots, and the larvae of beetles grubs. Young insects never have wings, so this is one way we can tell insect larvae from their parents.

(4) Some insects can communicate with each other, but without talking. Some insects use special chemical odors (called pheromones) to "talk" to each other and help them find one other. Some insects communicate with visual signals - like the fireflies with their flashing lights. Other insects communicate with sound - they make noises, and in a few cases even sing to each other.

(5) Some insects live alone, but some live in large groups or colonies. Honeybees, ants, some wasps, and termites live in large communities that function like tiny cities. Each insect in the colony has a job - some gather food, some build nests, some do the housecleaning, some care for the young, and others are soldiers that protect the colony from intruders. Social insects are fascinating and it is fun to watch them as they go about their business.

IT'S A BUGS LIFE LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Insect Maze. You will need one insect maze for each child and an assortment of colored pencils, crayons, or markers. Ask the children to help the grasshopper grow big and strong by finding its way to the food, water and shelter. Watch out for danger along the way!

Insect Life Stage Mobiles. You will need a small supply of card stock (5 x 7 index cards will do), scissors, paper punch, string and crayons or coloring markers. You must first decide if the mobiles will be made by individuals or by small groups, and who will construct a butterfly and/or a grasshopper mobile.

Prepare the necessary parts for each type of mobile: 8 eggs, 4 caterpillars (larvae), 2 cocoons (pupae) and one butterfly and/or 4 eggs, 2 young grasshoppers (nymphs), and 1 adult grasshopper. The mobile parts (eggs, caterpillars, adults, etc.) can be draw free-hand or produced from other resource materials. Have the children color the various life stages (eggs, adults, etc.) before assembling the mobile. Use a paper punch and string to assemble the mobile. Encourage the children to find a special place to display their mobile(s) and to talk about the various insect life stages.

Adult/Larvae Concentration Card Game. You will need the insect larvae and insect adult pictures (made from clip art or other resources), scissors and 3 x 5 index cards (optional). Preparation: Cut and separate the matched insect adult/insect larvae pictures. You can glue them to index cards if you like. To play the game: Shuffle the cards and place them face down on the floor or a table. To begin the game, the first player turns over two of the cards looking for a match (i.e.,  caterpillar and butterfly). If the cards match the player keeps the cards and gets another turn. If they do not match the player turns them face down and the next player gets a chance to find a matched pair. This game can be played by a single person if the cards are shuffled and placed face down without looking at the pictures. To make this game easier for young children, try color coding the front of the matching cards to assist in making matches. Later, after the children begin to recognize the insect adults and corresponding larvae you can substitute plain cards for the color-coded ones.

Bug Masks. You will need to prepare some bug mask drawings made from pictures of insect faces.  You will also need scissors, string or elastic bands, and crayons or coloring markers. (Optional materials for decorating masks: sequines, glitter, yarn and/or pipecleaners.) Have each child select a bug mask.

Have each child color and decorate their own mask. When the masks are colored and decorated, assist the children with cutting out their mask and attaching a string or elastic band.

Insect Sing-Along. You will need some plastic combs and an equal number of blunt sticks (unsharpened pencils will do). Rub the stick along the base of the comb's teeth to imitate the insect love songs of katydid grasshoppers. In the summertime you can hear these insects singing in the trees when the sun goes down. See if you can identify the singers.

Small meadow grasshopper: TSE - TSE - TSE - TSE - TSE

Large meadow grasshopper: DZEET - DZEET - DZEET

Have the children practice each of the two katydid songs. Divide the children into two groups and have each group "sing" their song as a chorus; then try having both groups "sing" together.

BOOKS AND STORIES

Carle, Eric. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. New York: Philomel Books. 1979. (Follow the progress of a very hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep. Do butterflies really have cocoons? NO!)

Merrians, Deborah. I Can Read About Insects. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Associates. 1977. (Cassette tape and read-along book.)

Sabin, Francene. Amazing World of Ants. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Associates. 1982. (Describes the physical characteristics and behavior of ants.)

Sabin, Louis. Amazing World of Butterflies and Moths. Mahwah, NJ; Troll Associates. 1982. (Briefly describes the life cycle of the butterfly and moth.)

Click here if you want to see what books are currently available from Y.E.S.

MOVEMENT GAMES

Caterpillar Race. You will need play this game outdoors, or in a large, mostly empty room. You will also need a long, stout rope or a long, narrow pole (plastic PVC pipe). Divide the group into two teams of equal numbers. Have the members of each team straddle the rope or plastic pole and grasp it with both hands. At a signal, the teams race to a goal line, 15 yards away, cross it and come back. Warn the players that dropping the pole or rope after the race has started will disqualify their team.

Baby Bug Swap. You will need the pictures of insect adults and insect larvae that you have collected. Each child should get at least one picture, but if you have a small group you might want to give each child two different pictures (one larva/nymph and one adult). Have the children sit on the floor in a circle. Give each child their picture(s). When you call the name of one of the insects, the children who have either the adult or the larva of that insect get up and switch places. Repeat the process. Play until everyone has had a turn, gets tired of the game, or is just plain tired.

TALK ABOUTS

(1) What do insects need in order to grow big and strong? (food, water and shelter)

(2) Why do insects shed their exoskeleton? (the body covering cannot grow and must be replaced with a larger one periodically)

(3) What are two types of metamorphosis (change in shape) that occur in insects? (gradual metamorphosis and complete metamorphosis)

(4) How can some insects communicate with each other? (chemical odors, visual signals and sounds)

(5) What are social insects? (these insects live in large communities or colonies and share the work)

PLANNING AHEAD TOGETHER

Tell the children that they will be going on a bug catchers insect safari at the next meeting and that they will be looking for insect homes and hiding places. Instruct the children to bring shoes and clothing suitable for an outdoor safari. Encourage them to try some of the optional learning activities at home with the help of their parents.

RESOURCES FOR LEADERS AND PARENTS

Publications:

Brown, Vinson. Investigating Nature Through Outdoor Projects. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. 1983.

Danks, Hugh. The Bug Book. New York: Workman Publishing. 1987. (Describes the appearance and behavior of 26 common insects.)

Dunn, Gary A.. Project B.U.G.S. Young Entomologist' Society. Lansing, MI. 1994.

Dunn, Gary A.  A Beginner's Guide to Observing and Collecting Insects. Young Entomologists' Society. Lansing, MI. 1994.

Dunn, Gary A.  Project B.U.G.S.  Young Entomologists' Society. Lansing, MI. 1994.

Headstrom, Richard .Adventures With Insects. New York: Dover Publications. 1982.

Nickelsburg, Janet. Nature Activities For Early Childhood. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. 1976.

Click here if you want to see what books are currently available from Y.E.S.

Videos:

Insects (Eyewitness). Eyewitness Video, Dorling-Kindersley. New York.

Tell Me Why: Insects. Penguin Home Video, P.O. Box 76128, Ocala, FL.

Click here if you want to see what videos are currently available from Y.E.S.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR HOME AND SCHOOL

Three Dimensional Models of Insect Larvae. You will need an assortment of any of the following items: bottle caps, styrofoam spheres, cotton balls, clay-dough or modeling clay, construction paper, cardboard, pipe cleaners, buttons, yarn, string, beads, paper fasteners, bristles from an old brush, garbage bag ties, toothpicks, sequines or glitter. You will also need scissors, paper punch and glue. Use your imagination to create young insects (caterpillars, maggots, and grubs or insect eggs) using any of the suggested materials. Use the styrofoam spheres, clay-dough or modeling clay, bottle caps, cotton balls for the bodies, or eggs; use the pipe cleaners, garbage bag ties, toothpicks for legs and antennae. The insect larvae or eggs can be decorated with crayons, coloring markers, paints, bristles, or glitter. Use buttons, paper fasteners, sequines or beads as eyes. Remember, insect larvae don't have wings. Don't forget to come up with a special name for your creation!

Bug Watching. (1) Locate an ant nest and spend a little time watching the activity of the ants. What types of materials do they carry in and out of the nest? What happens when ants meet each other? Are they following trails? (Note: this passive activity may not appeal to some children.) (2) If you get lucky and spot some fireflies on a warm summer evening watch how they communicate with each other by flashing their lights. (3) Some insects are more easily observed if you place them in an observation chamber. You will need a medium or large clear plastic container (or glass, if used with supervision), elastic band, small piece of cloth (large enough to cover opening of container); some sand or soil and plant "greenery" may be desirable as well. Place some insects (the same or different kinds) into the viewing chamber and watch their activity and behavior for a couple of days (whenever you have a few moments to spare). After you are done watching the insects, be sure you return them to their natural habitat.

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This educational resource was prepared by the Young Entomologists Society, 6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing MI 48906-9131, phone/fax 517-886-0630, e-mail YESbugs@aol.com.  Support minibeast youth education - join Y.E.S. today!