Insectigations: 40 Hands-on Activities to Explore the Insect World (1) (Young Naturalists) - Softcover

Blobaum, Cindy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556525680 ISBN 13: 9781556525681

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2005

Synopsis

From butterflies and beetles to crickets and katydids, these experiments, art projects, and games will bring out the entomologist in every kid. Activities include collecting and sketching insects, making a terrarium for observation, raising mealworms, using math to measure bug strength, gardening to attract butterflies and other insects, and making an insect amplifier. A unique insect board game helps kids learn fascinating bug facts while they play. Sidebars offer a look into the world of professional entomology, as well as gross facts about insects that will provide great playground trivia, including the USDA's guidelines for allowable insect parts per cup of food. Kids will learn that science is not just something to read about, but something they can observe and study in the world around them.

About this title

About the Author

Cindy Blobaum has designed science-based programs and teacher workshops for nature organizations throughout the United States. She is currently working with the Iowa Department of Education to design and implement curriculum-related enrichment programs for grades K–12. She is the author of Geology Rocks and a contributor to Highlights, Hopscotch for Girls, and Plays magazines.

Reviews

Grade 3-6–Raising mealworms, testing the visual acuity of bees, setting up a watering hole for butterflies–these are just a few of the 40 activities included in this earnest introduction to entomology. Each of eight chapters focuses on a different topic, such as physical and behavioral characteristics; metamorphosis; communication; methods to attract, collect and keep insects, etc. The dense main text covers the basic facts on each topic, while directions for the activities are interspersed among its pages–from three to nine per chapter. They include science experiments; art projects; the crafting of homemade traps, nets, and temporary cages (safety warnings are included); keeping a scientific journal; and creating a board game. Most are fairly simple and employ inexpensive materials. Sidebars appear throughout with bits of information on the ways insects are used in medicine, business, and science; accounts of entomologists' research; miscellaneous facts; and addresses of related Web sites. Clear line drawings, diagrams of body parts and project materials, plus the occasional black-and-white photograph are found on almost every page. Although the format is a bit unwieldy, the text is clearly written and well organized. Some of the same activities can be found in Janice VanCleave's Insects and Spiders: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects (Wiley, 1998), but many are unique and inventive. This title will appeal both to budding young scientists and teachers hunting for imaginative lesson-plan ideas.–Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library
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Edition details

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1556525680
• ISBN 13: 9781556525681
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144