Insects & Frogs

Learning goal: Tools help scientists see, measure, and do things that they could not otherwise see, measure and do. Introducing microscopes and magnifying glasses!

• Reading= Hey, Little Ant by Phillip Hoose, In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming, A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson and Miss Spider’s Tea Party by David Kirk. Letter of the day= I is for insect.
• Art= If you're comfortable with a mess, paint with fly swatters (outdoors of course)! If not, make insects from egg cartons. Paint three egg sections for an ant (representing head, thorax and abdomen). Add eyes and use pipe cleaners for legs and antennae. Egg cartons are also great for making green caterpillars, red ladybugs and black spiders. Tip: Store egg carton insects in a shoe box with green Easter grass. Alternatively, draw spider webs with glue then cover with glitter. Or, roll a painted marble over paper in a box to make a spider web. Add fingerprint spiders.
  
• Science= Hunt for bugs and examine them with a magnifying glass. Look in grass, soil, sun and shade (i.e., under a rock). What insects did you find in each place? Do some have wings? How many legs does each one have? Catch some bugs in a jar and observe them for a while. Who moves the quickest? the slowest? Experiment: Place different foods around your yard (e.g., peanut butter, bread crumbs, yogurt, apples). Which food attracts the most ants and other insects?
• Play= Make a giant spider web in your house with yarn and have a tea party or picnic there. Use party blowers like frog tongues and play a game of leap frog. Or, play "Cootie" to reinforce insect parts and structures.

Fun fact: Frogs eat insects! Help scientists conserve frogs and toads by participating in Frogwatch USA. Learn about frogs in your area, view photos and listen to local frog calls here!