Backyard Bugs

This is activity integrates the Science and Art Curriculum

Discovery Materials:

  • magnifying glasses or bug boxes for close observation of bugs

  • Approx. 3 meters of string for each group of students

  • 4 sticks (popsicle sticks or rulers)

 

Art Materials:

  • washable felt pens

  • wet and dry paper towels (1-2 per student)

  • small amount of water soluable hand cream (optional)

  • white art paper

  • blue chalk

Discovery:

  • Divide children into groups of 4 and go for a mini nature walk in your schoolyard, to observe bugs in their natural environment.  If you do not have an outdoor classroom, try choose a warm area with lots of foliage.

  • Using sticks and string have each group square off a small observation area.

  • Remind the children to pay attention to detail, such as adaptations "What color are the bugs?"  "Do they blend (camouflage) with their environment?", "How many legs do they have?",  "Do the bugs have wings?",  "Do they have antennae?" etc.

  • Once back in the classroom, discuss the bug characteristics observed.  Ask if anyone recognized and was able to identify the name of a bug.

                     

                      

Art Activity:
  • Using a bright colored felt pen, color the upper digit (the part opposite the fingernail) of your thumb.
  • While the ink is still wet, press the colored part of the thumb against the white paper, leaving a thumbprint.  Each thumbprint will be the main body of a bug.
  • Be sure to make as many bugs as you need in this color before going on to your next color.
  • Clean all of the excess ink off of your thumb before moving on to your next color.
  • Continue the process until you have enough thumbprints to make all of your bugs.
  • Using a fine tipped marker add appendages (i.e.  head, legs, antennae, wings etc.)
  • Carefully shade around the bugs with blue chalk.

IMPORTANT:  Choose your colors ahead of time and ALWAYS start with the lightest color first and work your way to your darkest color, using the darkest color last.

 

 Enviro Tip!

Remind the children that bugs are an essential element of our environment and must be respected.

 This site has been submitted by  

Mrs. Ewasiuk's Grade 1A Class at Mary Hanley Catholic Elementary School

and

Mrs. Greaves Grade 1C Class at Good Shepherd Catholic Elementary School