This is a science center display for the Spring or anytime I do a unit on bugs (I have done bugs in September before because of all the bugs the kids were seeing outside). Over the years I have collected various materials for learning about bugs: real bug specimens, a real cocoon, locust shells, butterfly life cycle set, plastic models of bugs (in the boxes), bug boxes, a “How Insects See” viewer from Insect Lore. We use the bug boxes to collect bugs the kids find. We observe them for one day, then set them free.
About Karen Cox
As a science educator using correct science vocabulary is important to me. Please use the correct vocabuary when addressing science. You can say bugs but ….then correct yourself….tell them Fancy Nancy calls these insects. Or ask them what these animals are and when they say bugs tell them they are correct but since we are all scientists, lets use the same word as scientist do…. lets call them insects
Geri, thank you for your thoughts, but the word “bug” is not an incorrect term. An insect specifically has 6 legs and 3 body parts. The word bug can include insects as well as spiders, centipedes, millipedes, and ticks, which are not insects. Since my thematic unit covers creatures other than insects, I refer to it as a “Bug Unit” because calling it an “Insect Unit” would be incorrect. I do use the word “insect” with my students as well as the word “arachnid”, but I distinguish between the two. Geri, you might be surprised, but in Pre-K we use a lot of rich vocabulary. Many Pre-K teachers do research what we teach.
Hi, Do you have any advice to preserve the collected dead insects? My children and I have found a dead butterfly and I don’t know how to preserve it. It is currently in the fridge!!! We live in the Tropics – hot and humid.
Also how should I deal with my children when they are rough with the specimens? It is hard to find decent dead bugs (that haven’t been half eaten by other bugs)
Thank you
Hi, I’m sorry, I don’t know how to preserve them. The ones I have were purchased.
Thank you for replying
The Mailbox preschool magazine put out an idea to preserve them in hand sanitizing gel in a tube or clear container. Haven’t tried it, but it might work.
Sounds neat! Thanks for sharing!
Where did you purchase those?