More Arthropods in Your Backyard…

 

Photo David Cappaert, Michigan State University, United States

Right now I’m planning my programs for this year’s Summer Reading Club, Catch the Reading Bug. . I’d like to share some of my ideas and projects with you, so today I’ll give you an overview of what I’m planning.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll post the instructions with photos of the activities.  You can always refer to the list of resources that will be updated as new and interesting materials come to light. 

Nature Detectives

Nature Detectives will focus on the “sense of wonder” that can happen when a child examines insects up close.  Large photos on wall-sized scrolls invite children and adults to appreciate the beauty and detail of these under-appreciated creatures.  Observation, investigation, and inquiry will lend insight into

• Why do we study insects?
• What roles do insects have in the balance of nature?
•  How important are insects in the ecological web?
• Why is insect conservation important?
• How does metamorphosis happen?

To add interest and to draw children into the topic I like to create large visuals as a backdrop.  Oversized insect scrolls and panels can be made by searching for copyright free images on the web at Insect Images.  I taped 19” x 24” Strathmore Bristol Board panels together to form a large accordion-fold structure.  Then I painted/sponged the accordion scroll in various colors of nature to blend with the color printouts of the insects.  If you prefer, black foam core is also a very dramatic presentation background.This nature scroll concept works well for a variety of Nature Detective topics.  It can be used to illustrate complete and incomplete metamorphosis.  I have a number of these folded accordions on topics like birds of prey, wetlands, and nests.  They store and travel very nicely so they can be used from year to year as well as for workhops and presentations.

Other visual/display materials used for discussion and activities are

• Nature Journals
• Specimens
• Tools for investigation/observation (binoculars, magnifying glasses)
• Books and field guides

Handmade Books

This summer Handmade Books will embrace and reflect the SRC theme when children create books that contain information and stories about insects and bugs through design, words, drawings and visuals.  Activities represented will include 

• Books from one piece of paper
• Accordion fold book and ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)
• Nature Journals
• Altered books

Informal Handmade Books on Saturday afternoons will offer altered books.  Visits to the William R. Oliver Special Collections Room at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will give children and adults the opportunity to view rare and unique materials that feature illustrations of insects, bugs, and arachnids created long before cameras could capture close-up shots emphasizing the importance of observation, investigation, and art. It’s all about children being exposed to the book arts, telling their strories through the book format, making the literacy connection, and having fun.