We learned about two more camouflage bugs!  Praying mantids have long necks and a  triangular head. They can turn their heads an entire half circle. They're well-camouflaged, adapting colors that help them blend with plants.  We made a praying mantis using paper, tissue paper, straw and pipe cleaners.  
Like other insects, the stick bug has six jointed legs, a hard outer shell and two antennae. Its long, straight body is not only shaped like a stick, but also typically colored like one too. Most stick bugs are green or brown, although there are a few species that are colorful or even striped.  We used a thin stick and twist ties to make our own walking stick.  
​We completed our Bugs and Crawly Things unit with a caterpillar.  They eat constantly so that they can grow.  Caterpillars grow up and change into butterflies and moths.  We read the Very Hungry Caterpillar to see how big and fat he became before he turned into a butterfly.  We used a cardboard tube, cornstarch noodles and markers to create a colorful caterpillar.  

​We learned about bugs that use camouflage to protect themselves.  We discussed the differences between a moth and butterfly.  Moths are dull, butterflies are bright.  Moths have a thick body, butterflies have a thin body.  Moths have curved antennae's, butterflies have straight antennae's.  
The kids were asked if they had wings like a butterfly, what colors would they be?  They chose colors and we made symmetrical butterfly wings!   They were given a piece of folded paper, painted with their choice of colors and then we smashed the paper together.  
We played in sand, grass and rice this week.  I gave the kids easter grass, bugs and numbers.  They fed the bugs matching numbers and grass!  They asked for ABC's so we played for well over an hour with bugs, numbers and ABC's all their choice.  Shhhh...don't tell them they are actually learning so much by playing and using their imaginations.  We talked about colors, numbers, letters and so much more while playing.  As an educator I do my best to set the invitations to play up in such a way that they are irresistible to these little kiddos!  Today was a success with the bugs & grass.

Where do bugs build their homes? This week we talked about plants and dirt. All bugs hatch from eggs, which usually live on the undersides of leaves or in hidden spots on plants. The eggs hatch into larvae which will later become adults. We used a paper punch to make holes in the leafs and used pipe cleaner and beads to make a caterpillar.
Worms live in dirt and dig tunnels. We painted with squishy rubber worms and we played in the dirt digging for worms and making trails.
We finished off the week making anthill shakers! ​

Ants live in groups called colonies.  They work together to find food, care for babies and protect each other, just like family.  We searched for ants and other bugs in the backyard!  Our invitation to create I gave the kids paper, paint, glue, markers, stickers and sand.  I showed them the inspiration photo of ants and they were encouraged to create their own ant art! 
Honey bees harvest nectar and pollen from flowering plants. Honey bees are social insects that live in large colonies. The queen bee, drones and worker bees all have specific tasks to help support the colony. The queen bee lays hundreds of eggs. 
We used bubble wrap, paint, paper and paper plate to make the body of our bee.   
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