Mathematics, Data Analysis and Probability, Science, Life Science

Grade 1- 3

Objective

Students differentiate between bugs and insects.

Directions

Collect plastic bugs wherever available. Some places to look include novelty shops, nature stores, and the little trinket machines near the entrance to many grocery stores. Some children may own the toy that makes bugs by cooking liquid plastic. If so, they may be willing to make some bugs for the class.
Affix each bug to an index card, using glue or two-sided tape. Write a letter of the alphabet on the card, using a different letter for each bug.
Discuss or review with the children the characteristics of insects: six legs, exoskeleton, and three body segments. Also discuss the characteristics of other closely related animals such as spiders, ticks, and centipedes. Talk about the differences between what we commonly refer to as bugs (any wingless or four-winged insect, mouthparts used for piercing and sucking) and insects (usually small invertebrates with an exoskeleton; adults have six legs, three body segments and two pairs of wings).
Talk about how to classify animals. Ask children what types of characteristics they can use to classify animals. Brainstorm a list of characteristics.
Discuss how to enter data in a table. Then have the children complete Lab Worksheet 1.

Resources

• 8-12 plastic bugs
• index cards
• black marker
• glue or two-sided tape
• Lab Worksheet 1
• The Ladybug and Other Insects (First Discovery Book) by Pascale de Bourgoing (Scholastic, 1989)