Australian Painted Lady Butterfly Activities
Prep - 2 - Bugs & Beasties
What to Use
· Magnifying glass
· Bug catcher
· SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects
· Nature Journal
What to do
1. You are a bug hunting detective looking everywhere for signs of bug life.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look in trees & shrubs, in the mulch layer, in grasses and anywhere you can think of. Write down/draw what you find and where.
3. Where did you find the most?
4. Did you find evidence of bugs such as webs, holes in plants, cocoons, galls?
5. Can you identify the bug you've found using the SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects?
6. Come together as a group and share your discoveries.
· Magnifying glass
· Bug catcher
· SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects
· Nature Journal
What to do
1. You are a bug hunting detective looking everywhere for signs of bug life.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look in trees & shrubs, in the mulch layer, in grasses and anywhere you can think of. Write down/draw what you find and where.
3. Where did you find the most?
4. Did you find evidence of bugs such as webs, holes in plants, cocoons, galls?
5. Can you identify the bug you've found using the SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects?
6. Come together as a group and share your discoveries.
Grade 3-4 - Bugs & Beasties
What to Use
· Magnifying glass
· SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects
· Invertebrate Guides
· Nature Journal
What to do
1. You are a bug hunting detective looking everywhere for signs of bug life.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look in trees & shrubs, in the mulch layer, in grasses and anywhere you can think of. Write down what you find.. Where did you find the most?
3. Did you find evidence of bugs such as webs, holes in plants, cacoons, galls?
4. Catch a bug and observe what it does a while—take notes
5. Can you identify the bug you've found using the SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects?
6. Research and record three pieces of information about your bug that you have learnt from the Invertebrate Guides.
· Magnifying glass
· SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects
· Invertebrate Guides
· Nature Journal
What to do
1. You are a bug hunting detective looking everywhere for signs of bug life.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look in trees & shrubs, in the mulch layer, in grasses and anywhere you can think of. Write down what you find.. Where did you find the most?
3. Did you find evidence of bugs such as webs, holes in plants, cacoons, galls?
4. Catch a bug and observe what it does a while—take notes
5. Can you identify the bug you've found using the SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects?
6. Research and record three pieces of information about your bug that you have learnt from the Invertebrate Guides.
Grade 5-6 - Bugs & Beasties
What to Use
· Magnifying glass
· Bug catcher
· SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects
· Invertebrate Guides
· Nature Journal
What to do
1. Brainstorm as a group five things you would like to learn about an insect. Write these questions in your Nature Journal.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look in trees & shrubs, in the mulch layer, in grasses and anywhere you can think of. Write down what you find. Where did you find the most?
3. Did you find evidence of bugs such as webs, holes in plants, cacoons, galls?
4. Watch or catch a bug and observe what it does a while—take notes and answer some of your questions.
5. Identify and research the bug you’ve found using the or field guides.
· Magnifying glass
· Bug catcher
· SEEDS Simple Field Guide to Insects
· Invertebrate Guides
· Nature Journal
What to do
1. Brainstorm as a group five things you would like to learn about an insect. Write these questions in your Nature Journal.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look in trees & shrubs, in the mulch layer, in grasses and anywhere you can think of. Write down what you find. Where did you find the most?
3. Did you find evidence of bugs such as webs, holes in plants, cacoons, galls?
4. Watch or catch a bug and observe what it does a while—take notes and answer some of your questions.
5. Identify and research the bug you’ve found using the or field guides.
Teacher notes
BUGS AND BEASTIES: Prep - 2
- Students or teacher choose whether students record their observations by drawing pictures, writing words or using a combination of both.
- Activities can be done in small groups or individually.
- You may choose to bring group together before step 5 to share and discuss findings and refocus.
- Explain to students that bugs need to be cared for and returned healthy and alive to where they came from following observations.
BUGS AND BEASTIES: Grade 3-4
- Students or teacher choose whether students record their observations by drawing pictures, writing words or using a combination of both.
- Activities can be done in small groups or individually.
- You may choose to bring group together before step 5 to share and discuss findings and refocus.
- Explain to students that bugs need to be cared for and returned healthy and alive to where they came from following observations.
- To conclude activity allow students to share and teach others about the bug they found and observed. Pose the question – why is it important to care for even these tiny creatures?
BUGS AND BEASTIES: Grade 5-6
- Use white board to have student brainstorm a list of questions to research about a bug. For example:
o Does it have a shell?
o How many legs does it have?
o Does it have wings?
o Where is it most commonly found?
o Does it live alone or in a group?
o What does it eat? Is it active during the day or night?
o Where does it shelter?
o Does it lay eggs?
- Students or teacher choose whether students record their observations by drawing pictures, writing words or using a combination of both.
- Activities can be done in small groups or individually.
- You may choose to bring group together before step 4 to share and discuss findings and refocus.
- Explain to students that bugs need to be cared for and returned healthy and alive to where they came from following observations.
- Students need to gather and record information about their insect through observation and literacy research (using bug books and field guide).
- To conclude activities allow students to share and teach others about the bug they found, observed and researched. Pose the question – why is it important to care for even these tiny creatures?
- Students or teacher choose whether students record their observations by drawing pictures, writing words or using a combination of both.
- Activities can be done in small groups or individually.
- You may choose to bring group together before step 5 to share and discuss findings and refocus.
- Explain to students that bugs need to be cared for and returned healthy and alive to where they came from following observations.
BUGS AND BEASTIES: Grade 3-4
- Students or teacher choose whether students record their observations by drawing pictures, writing words or using a combination of both.
- Activities can be done in small groups or individually.
- You may choose to bring group together before step 5 to share and discuss findings and refocus.
- Explain to students that bugs need to be cared for and returned healthy and alive to where they came from following observations.
- To conclude activity allow students to share and teach others about the bug they found and observed. Pose the question – why is it important to care for even these tiny creatures?
BUGS AND BEASTIES: Grade 5-6
- Use white board to have student brainstorm a list of questions to research about a bug. For example:
o Does it have a shell?
o How many legs does it have?
o Does it have wings?
o Where is it most commonly found?
o Does it live alone or in a group?
o What does it eat? Is it active during the day or night?
o Where does it shelter?
o Does it lay eggs?
- Students or teacher choose whether students record their observations by drawing pictures, writing words or using a combination of both.
- Activities can be done in small groups or individually.
- You may choose to bring group together before step 4 to share and discuss findings and refocus.
- Explain to students that bugs need to be cared for and returned healthy and alive to where they came from following observations.
- Students need to gather and record information about their insect through observation and literacy research (using bug books and field guide).
- To conclude activities allow students to share and teach others about the bug they found, observed and researched. Pose the question – why is it important to care for even these tiny creatures?
