CU 6.12Observing a Live Insect

1. 1

   Before the lesson, set up the jar with food. Tell the child: 'These insects are our guests for a few days. We will watch them and then return them.'

2. 2

   Invite the child to sit and watch quietly. Ask: 'What do you see? How does it move?'

3. 3

   Look through the magnifying glass. Point to the front part: 'This is the head. It has the eyes and two antennae.'

4. 4

   Point to the middle part: 'This is the thorax. The legs grow from here, and the wings too if it has them.' Count the six legs together.

5. 5

   Point to the back part: 'This is the abdomen.'

6. 6

   Give a three-period lesson on head, thorax, and abdomen using the parts card.

7. 7

   Show how to check the food and moisten the towel or carrot, keeping the lid on.

8. 8

   After a few days, return the insects to the lender, or release ladybugs on a plant outside in warm weather.

What catches the child’s eye

• Six tiny legs moving one after another as the insect climbs the glass
• A ladybug lifting its spotted wing covers to open the thin wings underneath

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Draw the insect and label the head, thorax, and abdomen
2. Compare with other small animals: a spider has eight legs and two body parts, and a worm has no legs, so neither is an insect
3. Watch mealworms change into pupae and then darkling beetles over several weeks
4. Find insects on plants outdoors and count their legs without touching