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You are here: Home / Archives for bugs

bugs

One Small Square Nature Journal

June 6, 2019 By Valerie Mcclintick Leave a Comment

Nature Journals are a popular way to engage children in the great outdoors. The flora and fauna of your local neighborhood become the teachers in the ultimate open-air classroom. Detailed nature studies are exciting, but can also be a good deal of work. As a summer alternative, try a tiny square nature journal. It has all the benefits and enticements of a full-blown nature study, packed into one little square. This makes it easier for kids to do on their own, and leaves plenty of time for summer fun!

For added learning, visit your local library or pick up this fantastic series of books called, “One Small Square.” These books feature beautiful illustrations of diverse flora and fauna tucked inside a small square picture of different habitats, and your children will be enthralled by them!

Find Your “Square”

The first step to this type of study is locating a spot. This is where the entire study will take place. It should be a spot that is easy to get to frequently. One in your backyard or a close by a park that you frequent would be perfect.

Your spot should be on the small side, only 2-4 feet wide and long. It should be compact enough for a child to do a thorough investigation in a matter of minutes. Try to pick a location that has a variety of vegetation.

Make a Habit of It

The purpose of a tiny square nature journal is observing changes over time. It invites the children to take a very close look. When observing large areas, it is easy to miss so many details. The larger trees, animals, and insects grab your attention. However, even the smallest of squares is teeming with activity.

Decide how often you will visit your little spot. Every day? Once per week? Make sure you will get in enough observations to see the smallest changes, but remember it is summer. This activity should not add stress to your day. Regular visits are crucial to this project, so think of how you can make them part of your routine this summer.

The Big Picture

A little square can be packed with big life. Observing the changes each visit, and recording them in your journal, will help children understand the bigger picture of your eco-system. So many tiny creatures, subtle changes, and little food chains keep the environment healthy and growing.

Drawing or photographing your spot on visits or at different times of the day can offer a deeper appreciation of what happens when we aren’t looking. By comparing photos or drawings from early summer to early fall, or early morning to late at night, your child will grow in his appreciation and understanding of the world around him.

Establishing Some Roots

A one tiny square nature journal inspires ownership. This is your child’s special spot. He will be more inclined to protect it and learn from it long after the project is over. Just like the roots of trees stretch far down below the soil where we can’t see them. Having a vested interest in a tiny eco-system will extend far past the summer project. This is a chance to really connect with nature on a deep level with a project that takes just minutes per day.

Free Nature Journal Printables:

Use these free printable Nature Journals to track your Small Square!

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Filed Under: Nature Crafts, Nature Journaling, Science Tagged With: animals, backyard, bugs, habitat, nature, science

A-Z Insects Bible Verse Cards

July 15, 2014 By Valerie Mcclintick Leave a Comment

AlphabugsPin2
We just posted this beautiful set of Scripture memory cards on BibleStoryPrintables.com.

This set includes 26 different scriptures paired with an alphabetical showcase of God’s amazing insects, bugs, and creepy crawlies.

ABCBugsPeekEach verse card has a full color photograph of the bug, name of the bug,  KJV scripture, and circle boxes to track progress.

There is also an included envelope for storage.

Alphabugs3

This is a great way to get little hands excited about creation while learning key verses along the way.

Ideas:

Punch a hole in the corner and store on a key ring.

Print two sets and play memory.

Print four sets and play Go Fish  (or Go Buggy)

Laminate and use in Sunday School or Classrooms.

Print A-Z Bible Verse Cards Here

Pssssssst…..

AlphaBugPin

If you like these creepy crawlies be sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter! 

We’re wrapping up the finishing touches on a complete set of A-Z insect lapbooks that include anatomy, life cycle, facts, notebooking pages and more!

Here’s a sneak peak at those:

HoneybeePin

Stay Tuned!

Filed Under: Bible Verse for Kids, Insect Crafts Tagged With: abc bible verse, bible verse, bugs, creepy crawlies, insects, scripture memory

Buggy Boards: Fun Printable Math Mats!

July 8, 2011 By Valerie Mcclintick 7 Comments

Got Boys?

Do they Like Bugs?
(nevermind. Silly question)

Need to work on Math?

Check out these Super Buggy Boards!

buggy boards

And these Super Buggy Number Cards!

math printables

Designed to appeal to your little men, while sneaking in a bit of math
like vegetables in a ice cold smoothie.

printable math mats

They’ll be rolling and counting, and checking out all the different bugs
that they’ll never know what hit them.

printable bug

Poor, unsuspecting little men.

These are pretty versatile, Check out all the Game Ideas I posted too!

Okay, ya got me.

I only posted like three ideas….
How would you use these with your little ones?

Filed Under: Bug Crafts, homeschool printables, New Posts Tagged With: bug printables, bug unit study, bugs, file folder, games, homeschool, homeschool printables, insect printables, learning, math, math mats, printable, summer, thematic units

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I am a Christian mother of four, with over 13-years experience homeschooling in Southern Oregon. The resources and products I create are designed to keep the prep to a minimum while also bringing a little educational fun to your classroom

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#worksheetsforkids #numbermats Fine Motor Number C #worksheetsforkids #numbermats Fine Motor Number Charts, numbers 0-30. Our number charts will help your students learn one-to-one correspondence, numbers in order from 0-30, patterns, numerals, and their names. Our number charts are colorful and fun, making them a great first step to getting your students to count. Add them now to your math center! (Link in Bio) #craftyclassroom #homeschooling #homeschoolmom https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fine-Motor-Numbers-Charts-6734309?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=thecraftyclassroom&utm_content=Fine%20Motor%20Numbers%3A%20Charts
#worksheetsforkids #numbermats Fine Motor Number C #worksheetsforkids #numbermats Fine Motor Number Charts, numbers 0-30. Our number charts will help your students learn one-to-one correspondence, numbers in order from 0-30, patterns, numerals, and their names. Our number charts are colorful and fun, making them a great first step to getting your students to count. Add them now to your math center! (Link in Bio) #craftyclassroom #homeschooling #homeschoolmom https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fine-Motor-Numbers-Charts-6734309?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=thecraftyclassroom&utm_content=Fine%20Motor%20Numbers%3A%20Charts
Our HUGE Maze Activity Bundle includes a wide vari Our HUGE Maze Activity Bundle includes a wide variety of hands-on learning opportunities for your students!  Includes 15 maze activity packs filled with differentiated learning material for multiple ages and abilities.  Includes our popular Editable Word Mazes set that will allow you to create your own mazes using spelling words, sight words, student names, and more! (Link in Bio) #craftyclassroom #homeschooling #homeschoolmom https://craftyclassroom.com/product/maze-activity-bundle/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=thecraftyclassroom&utm_content=Printable%20Mazes%20for%20Kids
A-Z Beginning Letter Alphabet Mazes: This set incl A-Z Beginning Letter Alphabet Mazes: This set includes 26 individual letter mazes for students to practice the beginning letter sound. Students will follow this letter from start to finish by identifying different beginning letter sound pictures.
Alphabet Order Letter Mazes: Additionally, this set includes 10 A-Z mazes where students will follow the alphabet in order through the maze. These are a fun challenge for students who are ready for more. #superstarworksheets #craftyclassroom #homeschooling #preschoolprintables #sped #finemotorskills (Link in Bio) #craftyclassroom #homeschooling #homeschoolmom https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Beginning-Mazes-for-Kids-A-Z-and-Single-Letter-Alphabet-Order-Sheets-6502236?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=thecraftyclassroom&utm_content=Beginning%20Letter%20Picture%20Mazes%20and%20Alphabetical%20Order%20Mazes
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