A guide for using our resources

Children will describe the adaptations and defenses of different insects.

Vocabulary: camouflage, fools, insects, notice

Science Focus: insects, animal adaptations

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• In this fabulous book, someone’s having a bug contest! It’s a great chance for all the bugs to show off their special skills.
• But wait . . . why do those judges have eight legs? This contest may not be what it seems. Can the bugs save themselves?

• Help make the vocabulary words from this issue “stick” with these quick ideas!
  • notice: Ask each child to name something they noticed on their way to school today.
  • camouflage: Have each child look at the color of their shirt. Ask them to point out a place where they could use camoufl age.
  • insects: Have each child name something insects do.

• Use pages 2-3 of the issue to do this scavenger hunt as a group.

1. Look at the blue box. Which word means “tricks someone”? Circle it.
2. Find the picture of the insect that looks like bird poop. Put a ✓ on it.
3. Find the heading. Underline it.
4. Look at the sidebar. Put an X on the insect that is NOT using camouflage.

Skill: apply knowledge

Materials: paper, pencils, crayons

• Invite children to make up their own tricky insect! They can design and draw an insect that tricks animals into thinking it is something else. For instance, a mushroom insect might look like a mushroom . . . or a robot insect might look like a robot!
• Kids can design their insect to look like anything they want, as long as they can explain how that keeps other animals from eating it. (A mushroom insect could blend in; a robot insect could frighten animals away.) Also remind kids that insects have six legs and two antennas.
• Have kids draw their insect, write its name, and then explain their insect’s trick to the group.