Bugology

The kids at work seem to love being outside and, of all things, bugs! There is a rather larger field they find solace in... running like wild animals chasing butterflies. Yesterday a young boy screams, "Miss Kristina! Miss Kristina!! I caught a, a, a... BUTTERFLY!!!!!!" He runs to me, huffing and puffing excitement the whole way. I peak into his cupped hands and from what I see, it looked to be a beautiful, blue colored butterfly. Once we got it into the cup it was evident this bug was no butterfly! In fact it looked more like a fancy wasp. I checked the boys hands for a sting or bite, but found nothing but his beaming face because of his finding. What he found and captured was a "Polka Dot Winged Wasp Moth". That's a mouthful!

This discovery lead to the kids turning into little bug-ologists! I brought in a piece of Styrofoam and pins and we pinned and labeled each insect they found. From ant lions to grasshoppers and pincer bugs to dead bees... they all were mounted on our board! I don't know how exactly I can tie a lesson into this, but seeing the excitement on the children's faces is just enough for me! So let the screams, laughs and exploring keep on!