Each student will learn more about a bug or an insect in the process of doing research and then writing a letter from the bug or insect to humankind.
What You Need
- Bug Profile Sheet (PDF file)
- library or Internet resources about bugs and insects
What to Do
- Ask students to come up with words that describe bugs.
- Then ask students to come up with words that bugs might use to describe people.
- Tell students they are each going to research a bug or an insect and then write a letter from that bug or insect to humankind. Talk about the different reasons that humans write to each other (thank you notes, get well cards, family updates/birth announcements, just writing to chat, etc.). Tell students to think about the purpose behind his or her bug’s letter when they write it.
- Distribute copies of the Bug Profile Sheet. Have each student do research and then write a letter on a separate sheet of paper. Remind students that they can use the Sentence Starters on the Bug Profile Sheet.
- Have students take turns reading their completed letters to the class.
Katerpillars (& Mystery Bugs)
This site, created by the University of Kentucky Entomology Department, provides photographs and facts about some of the insects we live with.
NATURE: Alien Empire
Meet some noteworthy members of the world of insects.
An “entomological database of very cool bugs.” Check out intricate designs on different butterfly wings, fantastic close-up pictures of a wide range of interesting insects, and cool facts about rare bugs. This site is very well designed, and the graphics are amazing.
It’s just what it sounds like: an online site devoted to bug information. It contains just about everything you and your child have ever wanted to know about bugs, along with fun bug links.