Getting Buggy
4/19/2019
When it comes to exploring bugs, you can’t really beat bug collecting as an activity! Getting bugs into an enclosure -whether it’s the time-honored classic jar with air-holes in the lid, or something like this– allows children to look closely at the bugs to examine their characteristics. Having a barrier not only keeps the mini-beast in one place, but it often makes our young learners feel a bit less skittish. We’re Going on a Bug Hunt A bug hunt is a lot of fun, but it also helps learners become more familiar with the bug’s environment and needs. The children soon learnt that they can find more bugs under a rock than on the path. We talked about why that is, and what needs are being met in the different environments. Children also have to be aware of what the bugs need if they are going to keep them in the enclosure for much more than about an hour. Putting worms in a dry leafy environment did not work out well! They asked questioned like what kind of food do they need? And the adults asked things like; What kind of things can be added to make their environment similar to where we found it? Answering these questions through careful observation required the children to use scientific enquiry. In addition to our own playground, we were able to contact another source who provided us with a unique bug-observation experience. Watch the Metamorphosis We had some caterpillars arrive at our classroom this week. We have estimated how long we think it will take them to become chrysalides. Hopefully, within about three weeks, we will have butterflies that we can release in our own playground. Children have remembered how to use their measuring skills by using a ruler to record their size daily. Some children are also using dry spaghetti to record and compare the caterpillar's length and have taped them to a paper as a reference point for comparison later. It’s absolutely amazing to see how quickly these guys grow! We have encouraged the children to internalise the information they gathered through their observations by making sketches of their bugs. Drawing an image requires them to recall the information they just acquired and use it in a meaningful way, which helps comprehension. EKC are also extending this bug viewing activity by sharing fictional stories or information books about the mini-beasts we have encountered. Being keen writers they have also begun to put their own words and ideas into print and have started to illustrate the book – or fill them with photos. We are having fun getting buggy with our young entomologists! Just in time!We got our bug hunt done just in time! The children were surprised and thrilled to see their newly clear playground again covered with the white stuff they love so much!
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Melissa SmithMs. Smith has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught kindergarten for many years. Alaska has been home to Ms. Smith for 28 years, and she can't imagine living anywhere else! She has four children, a dog and two cats. She loves reading, camping, gardening, and genealogy! Archives
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