Educators Home > Monthly Themes > Bugs and Insects

Classroom Resources

Monthly Themes

Bugs and Insects

Writing Prompt

Story:

A bug's life can be really interesting if you take a closer look at one. Have students go outside and find a bug. Have them observe its features, surroundings, and fellow friends. Then have students write a story about where the bug is coming from and where it's going.

Activities

Grades Pre-K–2: Science
Butterfly and Chrysalis

With this activity, you can give your students a better understanding of what happens when a butterfly emerges from its cocoon.

Grades Pre-K–2: Art
Color On!

Let students create bug works of art by coloring pictures online.

  • Bugalizer Studio
  • http://www.orkin.com/learning_center/kids_and_teachers_games.aspx
Grades Pre-K–8: Science
Metamorphosis

Have students watch a butterfly, a cicada, water bugs, and a dragonfly evolve into new forms.

Grades K–1: Art
Stained Glass Butterflies

Using tissue paper, your students can create butterflies that look as if they were made of stained glass.

Grades K–3: Art
Create an Insect

Insects have been considered some of Mother Nature's finest works of art. Students will enjoy using common materials and a little imagination to create stunning insect ornaments and artwork.

Grades K–3
Ants on Logs

Have your students make some bug-inspired dishes.

Grades K–8: Science
3-D Bugs

Have students take a closer look at insects such as the praying mantis, ant, termite, mosquito, black widow spider, and many more.

Grades K–8: Science/Language Arts
Pretty As a Picture

Students can send their friends and relatives a beautiful butterfly e-card.

Grades 1–2: Science
Activity Bug Book

This activity book from Orkin has games, puzzles, lessons, and even a section for students to create their own bug!

Grades 1–8: Language Arts
Word Scrambles

Can your students unscramble these creepy crawly words?

Grades 1–8: Science
Quizzes

Test students' knowledge about bugs and insects.

  • Creepy Crawlies (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_1-2_quiz.pdf
  • Creepy Crawlies Answer Key (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_1-2_quiz_key.pdf
  • Bug Out! (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_3-5_quiz.pdf
  • Bug Out! Answer Key (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_3-5_quiz_key.pdf
  • Insect Lives (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_6-8_quiz.pdf
  • Insect Lives Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_6-8_quiz_key.pdf
Grades 2–8: Science
Name That Bug

Students can see how well they know their insects by trying to identify bugs with just four clues.

  • Name That Bug
  • http://www.orkin.com/learning_center/kids_and_teachers_games.aspx
Grades 2–8: Language Arts
Word Finds

Have students find words related to bugs and insects hidden in a puzzle.

  • Bugs and Insects (grades 2–3) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_easy_wf.pdf
  • Bugs and Insects Answer Key (grades 2–3) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_easy_wf_key.pdf
  • Bugs and Insects (grades 4–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_med_wf.pdf
  • Bugs and Insects Answer Key (grades 4–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_med_wf_key.pdf
  • Bugs and Insects (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_hard_wf.pdf
  • Bugs and Insects Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_hard_wf_key.pdf
Grades 3–4: Language Arts
Leapin' Ladybugs!

Have students create advertisements for ladybugs.

Grades 3–5: Science/Language Arts
Bugs-Eye View

What would it be like to have six legs and to scuttle? Have each of your students research a bug or an insect and then write a letter from the insect to humankind.

Grades 3–5: Science
Collectors Cards

Have your students make trading cards about bugs.

Grades 3–5: Science
Bug Match

Do you know that some bugs are very beneficial to us? Have students find out which bugs help us and what they do for us.

Grades 3–6: Science
Life As a Bug

What do roaches think about as they scuttle around? Do they have a plan? Kids can find out by being the roach in this online game.

  • Be the Roach
  • http://www.sun-sentinel.com/broadband/theedge/sfl-edge-a-roachgame,0,6048115.flash
Grades 3–8: Science
No Place Like Home

Help your students make a livable home for a pet insect by creating a class aquarium terrarium.

Grades 4–6: Science
Butterfly Jigsaw

Your students can put together this butterfly jigsaw picture online.

Grades 4–8: Science
Match Up

See if your students know the scientific names for these common bugs and insects.

  • Insect Matchup (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_match.pdf
  • Insect Matchup Answer Key (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/bugs_match_key.pdf
Grades 4–8: Science
What's the Buzz?

Your students can click on this animated picture of a fly to learn all about how it functions.

  • Fly Physics
  • http://www.sun-sentinel.com/broadband/theedge/sfl-edge-t-flyphysics,0,996193.flash
Grades 5–6: Science
Slug Fun

Have students rearrange pieces of a puzzle to reveal a picture of a slimy slug.

Grades 5–8: Science/Language Arts
The Buzz-Puzz

Have students test their knowledge of bugs and insects.

Grades 5–8: Science
The Cricket and the Butterfly

Have students make cricket and butterfly masks and use them in a short play about insects.

Grades 5–8: Science
Ladybug Jumble

Challenge your students to unscramble this picture of ladybugs.

Houghton Mifflin