Sometimes a good Science lesson just seems to fall into your lap or neighbor’s yard. I hear mom’s complain about the mess of Science experiments. I know some are worried if they are studying enough or the right stuff. Well, today we got to view two very special species of insects: cicada and praying mantis.
CICADA:
My kids were playing in the “field” (the lot where a house caught fire last May and was since bulldozed). I was keeping a close eye on them since not all of the glass and wood were buried when I noticed a beady eyed cicada. It was sitting perfectly still which I believe was due to recently hatching. I called Eldest over to take some pictures. I did not want Lil’ Red discovering it and trying to eat it!
Printable Cicada to color in from kidzfunonline.
PRAYING MANTIS:
After we ate lunch I just happened to look out the boys window to see a HUGE Praying Mantis on the front porch. I was excited and ran outside to discover a Praying Mantis eating it’s Grasshopper lunch. Now I know one thing that Praying Mantis’ eat besides each other!
Princess braved coming out with me to help take some pics. I held the yard stick trying to get close but not too close. I really wanted to try to get the Praying Mantis measured.
Princess says: It’s so CREEPY!
Eldest willingly sat a few feet away and drew the Praying Mantis.
More fun things to do:
Outdoor Hour Challenge – Insect Grid Study and Bug’s Eye View
Insect Images and Identification from Penn State
That’s the best kind of learning, in my opinion – the kind that just happens! I think I would have been with Princess and her “creepy” comment though – bugs are so not my thing! lol!
I have been taking pics of our Praying Mantises each day and will do a few more updates about them soon.