Insects

We just finished up our unit on Eric Carle and insects.  We had a great time reading many of Eric Carle's books and making artwork using his art style.  Eric Carle writes many books with insects in them, so it was the perfect time to study different insects.  We learned that insects have 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), six legs, antennae, and an exoskeleton.  Some insects have wings and some insects bite - ouch!  During this unit, we watched caterpillars in our classroom as they went through metamorphosis.  Last Friday, they hatched out of their chrysalises and we let the butterflies fly around the room.  Everyone also got to hold them!  It was very cool to see an insect up close.  There was also lots of discussion about each butterfly's proboscis (straw-like tongue).  At the end of the unit, our class worked in pairs to make their own insect using play dough and art supplies.  Our class was using TONS of new insect vocabulary during this activity. 

Here are some pictures of the insects we made: