Let’s creep and crawl our way into a fun insect unit study that will have your child buzzing and flapping around while they learn about bees, beetles, dragonflies and more. Also, look for more unit studies on my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.
I am a strong believer in more hands-on fun activities for younger children rather than sitting down for hours with worksheets.
To help you create a fun and busy insect unit study I have some ideas for each subject that you might want to cover.
Of course, I also have my own idea for creating bug specimens to put on display with some air dry clay and little wood pieces that you can find at Dollar Tree.
These make a perfect decoration for your homeschool shelves, desk, or even the coffee table.
As you put them together you can talk about what makes it an insect and ask questions like is a spider an insect? (no they are not).
This is a great time to pore over colorful books, take nature walks and explore bugs in their natural habitat, and even play with little plastic ones in a variety of ways.
More Insect Unit Study Activities
First you want to go over what makes an insect an insect.
All insects have the following characteristics:
- Invertebrates (no backbone)
- 2 compound eyes, usually on either side of the head
- 3 body parts- a head, a thorax, an abdomen
- 6 legs
- A pair of antennae
- 0 or 2 pairs of wings
Insect Books for Kids
Next, add some of these books to your unit study.
Since you have readers at different levels, I try to get a variety of reading levels.
11 Insect & Bug Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read To and Read
Add one or two of these books to your home library about insects. I love living books but love to add reference books to our day when I find them.
Describes briefly the short infancy of such common insects as the grasshopper, praying mantis, cicada, earwig, and twelve others.
This illustrated book for children asks the Have you ever seen a doodlebug? A dragon fly? A leafhopper? Find out all about bugs in this book.
Hailed by Darwin as "The Homer of Insects," famed French entomologist Jean Henri Fabre (1823–1915) devoted hours of rapt attention to insects while they hunted, built nests, and fed their families. Working in Provence, in barren, sun-scorched fields inhabited by countless wasps and bees, he observed their intricate and fascinating world, recounting their activities in simple, beautifully written essays.This volume, based on translations of Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, blends folklore and mythology with factual explanation. Fabre's absorbing account of the scarab beetle's existence, for example, begins with the ancient Egyptians' symbolic view of this busy creature, eventually leading to a careful discussion of its characteristic method of rolling a carefully sculpted ball of food to its den. Elsewhere, he discusses with infectious enthusiasm the physiologic secrets behind the luminosity of fireflies, the musical talents of the locust, the comfortable home of the field cricket, and the cannibalism of the pious-looking praying mantis, among other topics.These charmingly related stories of insect life are a rare combination of scientific study and literary classic that will delight entomologists, naturalists, and nature lovers alike.
Henri Fabre (1823-1915) was a famous explorer yet he seldom left his own backyard. He spent his whole life discovering the secrets of the insect world. His home and its surroundings served as his laboratory, and his lab assistants were his wife and children. The entire family shared his passion for insects, especially his youngest son, Paul. Follow Paul as he assists his famous father uncover the secrets of his "children of summer"-insects. You'll meet the undertaker beetle that buries dead animals; the acorn elephant beetle, whose snout is so long that it must hold it straight out to keep from tripping over it; caterpillars that spin tents and roadways of silk; red ants that kidnap black ant babies and raise them as slaves; dancing scorpions; dung beetles that get their nourishment from animal droppings; male peacock moths that pay homage to their princess but don't eat a single meal as adults; and many other unusual creatures. On the way, you'll get to know a fascinating scientist widely regarded as the father of modern entomology. Through texts drawn from the beautiful written records that Fabre kept of everything he did and saw, and exquisite illustrations done in close, scientific detail, this enchanting book reaches far beyond the boundaries of its subject to engage even those who didn't know they were interested in bugs.
Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky brings out the beauty—and the “wow!” and the “yuck!” factors—of hundreds of insects and spiders. Eight spectacular gatefolds show moths and mosquitoes, butterflies and beetles, spiders and silverfish life-size, up close, and personal!
Describes insects that have peculiar and strange characteristics, such as the camouflage of the walking stick, and the driver ants that prefer people to picnics.
Be immersed in the fascinating world of insects as you're taken on a journey observing and learning about the world around you.
This volume teaches about what makes an insect, the parts of a caterpillar, moths, butterflies, beetles, wasps, bees, flies, crickets, grasshoppers and more!
From moths and beetles to worms and spiders, the world is crawling with fascinating bugs. The Big Book of Bugs is the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.
In the first pages, children learn that bugs live nearly everywhere on the planet and gain tips on how to become a young bug spotter. As the book continues, the scenic compositions on each page are dedicated to key groups of bugs, including beetles, moths, butterflies, bees, snails, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and spiders. Some spreads approach the world of bugs thematically, such as bugs that come out at night, baby bugs, and life cycles, how bugs hide and show off, and how some bugs love to live in your home. The conversational, funny text is also full of facts that will astonish children and adults, and accompanied by Yuval Zommer’s colorful illustrations. Illustrated in color throughout.
An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested.
Features the beetle in huge, three-dimensional form. The book consists of an enormous center pop-up and two seven-page books, one bound into each cover, which are full of additional pop-ups, anatomical cutaways and photographs taken through electron microscopes.
In this beautiful nonfiction biography, a Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, the Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman introduces readers to one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.
One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will enthrall young scientists.
Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be “born of mud” and to be “beasts of the devil.” Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them? The Girl Who Drew Butterflies answers this question.
Next, look at some of these easy ideas to incorporate into your unit study.
Kids Insect Unit Study
Math Insect Ideas
- Use plastic bugs as counters for preschoolers to practice basic math skills like counting and very simple addition and subtraction.
- One of the first math skills a child can learn is basic sorting, this is also doubles as a fantastic science lesson as you cover what makes a bug a bug -Bug or Not: Simple Sorting Tray.
- Practice early math skills by making a Caterpillar number match for your child to play with.
Language Arts Insect Ideas
- Games like the Swat the Bug Alphabet Game get children moving and help the simple lessons they learn really stick and make an impression.
- Pull out all your plastic insects and have your child practice the beginning letter sound and naming the letter.
- For a sweet read aloud, reach for Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar to strengthen your child’s listening, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
Science Insect Ideas
- Create this Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids to simply demonstrate a simple life cycle with an artistic twist.
- Be sure to give some attention to the buzzing bee with 7 Honey Bee Activities And Explore a BeeHive With Felt Activity.
- A great resource for science is the Big Book of Bugs, a fun and beautifully illustrated oversized book that your children will love to read with you or flip through on their own to look at all there is to see.
Watch Find Out About Insects from Nat Geo on YouTube.
Geography Insect Ideas
- Research one insect that is native to each of the continents. Here is one for each continent to get you started.
- Antarctica- Antarctic Midge
- North America – Cicada
- South America – Rhinoceros Beetle
- Africa – Devil’s Flower Mantis
- Asia – Orchid Mantis
- Europe – European Firebug
- Australia- Giant Centipede
- Learn about Entomologists- A scientist who studies insects. Learning about careers and community workers is an important part of social studies for young learners.
Art Insect Ideas
- Learn 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft.
- Make the beautiful Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft.
- Light up your windows with a Firefly Suncatcher Craft as you learn about this bioluminescent bug.
Sensory and Snacking Insect Fun
- Check out how neat and inviting this Insect Ice Excavation Science Activity for Kids is, especially during the warmer months.
- Make Clear Bug Slime For Kids for a fun sensory activity they will love.
- Put together a Bug Sensory Bin for little hands to explore and learn about all sorts of insects.
- Make these adorable Fruit and Vegetable Bug Snacks.
Finally, look how to make these fun clay insects.
How to Make Clay Insects
You will need:
- Crayola Model Magic
- Craft paint
- paintbrushes
- Craft stick
- Small wood pieces
- Pipe cleaners
First, break off a small piece of clay and begin shaping it into whatever bug shape you like.
Use one of your reference books to get an idea of which bugs you want to recreate.
Add details using a paintbrush, craft stick, or toothpicks.
If you are making a larger bug I recommend using a pipe cleaner inside the clay to help hold its form better.
Be sure to add antennae and legs.
Allow your models to dry for 24 hours and then paint them.
Add some details like clay leaves and paint and sand to your wooden bases if you like to dress them up a bit like we did here for this dessert base.
Mount onto wood pieces to create a display stand and secure with glue. I found wood slices of both sizes and the rectangle at Dollar Tree.
