Here’s what you need for Week 1: Insects + Spiders:
Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon):
- The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer OR The Brilliant Book of Bugs by Jess French (if you already own a bug encyclopedia-type book or a similar book to this, you can also read that instead!)
- Steve the Dung Beetle: On a Roll by Susan R. Stoltz (or listen to this read aloud)
- How to Survive as a Firefly by Kristen Foote (L+L read aloud to come!)
- The Spider: The Disgusting Critters Series by Elise Gravel (or you can listen to this read aloud—the book starts at about 3:00)
- Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist: The True Story of a World-Traveling Bug Hunter by Christine Evans (or listen to this read aloud)
Bonus family activity: Plan a family movie night! Pop some popcorn and end your week by watching A Bug’s Life as a family. How many of the bugs can your child name?
Supplies (use what you have, but here are links to shop if you need anything):
- paper + access to a printer (don’t have one? we like this model)
- laminator + laminator sheets (optional, but recommended for repeating lessons)
- cardboard egg carton
- mini sticky notes (you can also cut up a larger sticky note)
- straw
- sponge
- tape
- fitness ball (or you could use a large beach ball)
- dice
- empty water bottle
- tissue paper
- glow sticks
- pipe cleaners
- googly eyes
- a brad
- foam sheets
- Mod Podge (or you can use watered down glue)
- foam brush
- glue gun + glue
- cardstock
- 3 paper plates
- sticky notes
- plastic spider rings
- cooking oil
- dry erase markers (if laminating)
- black construction paper
- silver marker
- glue stick
- ingredients for this recipe
Here’s what you need for Week 2: Spring:
Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon):
- The Reason for the Seasons by Gail Gibbons (or read it here on OpenLibrary)
- From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons (or read it here on OpenLibrary)
- Yucky Worms by Vivian French (or you can read it here on OpenLibrary)
- The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett
- The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta
Optional additional reading:
- North and South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres by Sandra Morris (If you have this book from our Arctic Unit, you can pull it out again to discuss the different seasons in different hemispheres this week!)
Supplies (use what you have, but here are links to shop if you need anything):
- paper + access to a printer (don’t have one? we like this model)
- worm farm – Or you can make your own with a tall, transparent container, soil, sand, and earth worms.
- brads
- white cardstock
- rainbow popsicle sticks (or you can paint regular popsicle sticks)
- tape
- felt (dark brown, light brown, green, blue)
- dry lima beans (or similar bean)
- clear plastic cups
- paper towels (you can also use cotton balls or soil)
- play dough
- googly eyes (optional)
- ruler
- small sticky notes (or you can cut up a large sticky note)
- dice
- gummy worms (these are cheaper to buy at the grocery store)
- vinegar
- baking soda
- clear tall glass
- laminator + laminator sheets (optional, but recommended for repeating lessons)
- dry erase markers (if laminating)
- black construction paper
- white crayon
- oil pastels (white, pink, black, light green, and dark green)
- ingredients for composting tea (banana peels, onion or garlic skins, used ground coffee, clean egg shells)
- ingredients for this recipe
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