Creepy, Crawly Critters

Introduction: Is everything that stings, bites, crawls, or flies an insect? How do you tell the difference between a spider and an insect? We've already learned about spiders. Now let's find out about these other creepy crawly critters that live around us!

Getting started:

Here are two neat poems! Bow Your Head and Bumble Rumble. Can you tell what these poems are about?

What's next?:

At the computer:

1. Let's learn a new word!! Anatomy (an-at-o-me) means "body parts" of an animal or insect. Click on Insect Anatomy to learn the names of the body parts of an insect.
2. Now that you know the names of the body parts you are ready to print your Critter Page called "Is it an insect or not?" You have to use this to write down your information.
3. Go to 3-d Insects Virtual insects to see different insects. Choose six insects to write on your critter page. You can also Zoom In! as see some close up pictures of a black ant, a fly, and a mosquito!

In the classroom:

Complete your Think, Do, and Read "Insects" book. Write in the missing words that name the parts of an insect.

Projects:

Your almost done! Choose two of the following activities try at home-with a grown-up's help! You may choose more than two activities, if you really like bugs! Bring them in on your Sharing Day to show the class!

• Grasshopper study: Learn about grasshoppers by keeping one as a pet for a day! Remember to return the grasshopper to its natural habitat when you are finished.
• Do some cooking! Bug food has many easy recipes that you can make and eat (or drink) that sound gross but taste yummy!
• Where do butterflies come from? You can make a butterfly come out of its chrysalis, or cocoon, using some paper, a Popsicle stick, and a paper towel roll!
• Even though a spider is not an insect, you can still make a Spider Glider to see how a spider travels on its dragline.
• Be creative! Make your own insect using play dough, clay, small boxes, pipe cleaner, or anything. It can be any color, size, or shape. Just remember it must have all of the parts necessary for it to be an insect (six legs, three body parts, antennae).

Links We've Visited:

• Bow Your Head and Bumble Rumble, Grandpa Tucker's Silly Poems
• Insect Anatomy
• Critter Page, teacher made worksheet
• 3-d Insects Virtual insects, Virginia Tech Department of Entomology
• Zoom In!
• Grasshopper study
• Bug food
• Where do butterflies come from?
• Spider Glider

You're Done!:

You have successfully completed your WebQuest on insects. Congratulations! Print your diploma.