BUG BONANZA
Length: 1.5 hours. Suitable for K-3.

This highly interactive program can be extended to two hours at no extra charge if your schedule allows. This will allow for even more in-depth learning and more time for questions. It is structured as follows:

Introduction: Welcome to Bug Bonanza! Two students are transformed by custom-made costumes which illustrate the anatomy of insects and arachnids while we lead a discussion on basic arthropod body parts and their functions. We will also introduce grade-specific topics such as metamorphosis and needs. The class will then divide into smaller groups to rotate through stations.

Stations: varies by grade.
Grade 1 Stations
–Lift-the-flap Quilts: Students get to hide little plastic bugs in the places they go in winter or summer. (Curriculum link: Seasonal Changes.)
–Ladybug Puppet Picnic: We set out a picnic blanket and basket and the students can use different bug puppets to have a play picnic and choose from a variety of food items that their puppet would like. (Curriculum link: Needs of Plants and Animals.)
–Habitat Build: Students can use various props and terrarium supplies to set up a habitat for different sorts of bugs which will include food, water, and the right amount of space and shelter. (Curriculum link: Needs of Plants and Animals.)
—Exploring Senses: Students can explore props such as compound eye glasses, a black light I-Spy poster, and a smell matching game to learn more about how bugs experience the world. (Curriculum link: Senses.)
–Sensory Bin etc: a bin filled with soil plus live mealworms and isopods is available for the students to play in. This is accompanied by darkling beetles, caterpillars and other small live bugs that they can also touch and hold.
–Big Beautiful Bugs: the instructor will introduce students to large charismatic bugs such as giant millipedes, tarantulas, and vinegaroons which they can touch if they wish. (Curriculum link: Needs of Plants and Animals.)
Grade 2 Stations
–Pollination Game: Students will understand more about bug senses and their role in the environment by playing a pollination game where they search for secret flower messages with UV light flashlights, then explore tables set up with hands-on learning toys and props such as compound-eye glasses. (Curriculum link: Small Crawling and Flying Creatures.)
–Cute Little Bugs etc: a bin filled with soil plus live mealworms and isopods is available for the students to play in. There are also other small live bugs such as caterpillars and beetles to touch and hold, and some dead and preserved specimens to examine with magnifying glasses and LCD screen microscopes as well as other hands-on learning props. (Curriculum link: Small Crawling and Flying Creatures.)
–Big Beautiful Bugs: the instructor will introduce students to large charismatic bugs such as giant millipedes, tarantulas, and vinegaroons which they can touch if they wish.(Curriculum link: Small Crawling and Flying Creatures.)
Grade 3 Stations
–Stages: Students will be able to identify the life cycles of various bugs through models, LCD screen microscopes for examining real specimens, and other engaging equipment and materials. This station will also include other cute little live bugs such as caterpillars and beetles to handle and discuss. (Curriculum link: Life Cycles.)
–Relay Race: students will divide into teams to race through the four life stages of ladybugs and butterflies. (Curriculum link: Life Cycles.)
–Big Beautiful Bugs: the instructor will introduce students to large charismatic bugs such as giant millipedes, tarantulas, and vinegaroons which they can touch if they wish. We will discuss their development and growth. (Curriculum link: Life Cycles.)

Conclusion: questions and discussion. Great job everyone!

BUG BASICS
Length: 1 hour. Suitable for all grades.

This is an inquiry-based program, structured as a question-and-answer discussion. We can customize the topic based on your students’ needs and interests. We will set up a display of various live bugs such as tarantulas, centipedes, and isopods (species may vary) and the students will have the opportunity to handle a few of them.

YOUR CUSTOM PROGRAM

Language arts unit about spiders? L & L class focusing on ecosystems? Preschoolers who are just really into bugs? Arthropods can fit in just about anywhere to enrich learning and liven up the classroom. Let’s have a conversation and design a program based around your learning goals and interests.