Sunshine State Standard

SC.F.1.1.4

Materials

The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle;scissors;assorted colors of construction paper; pipe cleaners; tooth picks; clay; markers; one sheet of duplicating paper per team

What to do

This task includes a whole group activity and team work. Introduce students to the idea of insects and the environment in which they live by reading The Very Quiet Cricket. Discuss and list the insects named in the story on board or chart paper. Distribute the duplicating paper to each group or teams of four. Instruct the teams to fold the paper into fourths. Direct each team member to illurstrate one of the bugs mentioned in the story using one square per bug. The team members will discuss their illustrations to each other. As a class, discuss and list on the board the characteristics of an insect(3 body parts, six legs, two antennas, etc.). The class will create a bar graph deciding whether their illustrations are insects or non-insects. Be sure the students know all the components for an accurate graph and that all parts are labeled completely. After discussing the completed graph, have the students create an insect using the variety of art materials and clay using the characteristics of an insect as a guide. After they have completed their model, have them share with the class.

Additional Information

You could also align this activity with the math standards.

Submitted by

Becky Reed

Lee County
Ft. Myers Beach, FL
BeckyR@lee.k12.fl.us