Snug as a Bug!

Turtles snuggling up for story time with River Otter!

What is a bug? Do you remember the parts of a bug?  Do you remember how the body parts of a bee, spider and ant are different?  What parts do they have in common? 

You have to think like a bug to find a bug.  The bugs were hiding and as your parents might say when tucking you into bed “snug as a bug”.  Bugs were under rocks, in the tall grasses and flowers like the buttercups on Sunrise Field.  How many bugs did you find by using the nets and collecting with your gentle hands today?  What kind of bugs did you find?

After hearing the story “Hello, Little Ant” by Phillip and Hannah Hoose, how did you feel about bugs and the world they see?  What is the same about a bug’s life compared to your own?  What is different?  If you were the boy in the book, how would your story end? Would you squish the ant?

What is it like laying on the grass and looking up from a bug’s perspective?  What did you see?  How is your perspective different from that of a damselfly?  Monarch, Pileated Woodpecker and Red Fox drew pictures of tiny ants, flies, butterflies and potato bugs beside huge grass blades and dandelions. 

You can’t see me! In the game of camouflage, were you able to find a good hiding spot.  Describe your best hiding spot. Monarch lay flat on the ground, down at a bug’s level..

It was tricky to see Monarch; even in her red dress!

What did you notice about how your boat or your friend’s boat travelled?  How was the water different than last week? Did your new design work better?

The unexpected finds of the day. Beaver and Hawk were looking with their net for water bugs but ended up finding a huge crayfish. Beaver also found a big toad.  Did you hear the noise it made as Dragonfly held him gently?  I wonder why he didn’t eat the worm or the bugs we found for him under a log?  If you were scared like the toad would you want to eat?  Happy trails, Mr. Toad!  

Bugs aren’t the only ones who need safety and shelter!  With a quick “Let’s build!” The Turtles were off to find supplies to build a shelter big enough for two people.  Beaver chose the spot and placed the first stick.  Cardinal helped arrange the branches.  It was great to see all the Turtles scurrying off to find sticks, big branches and leaves to fill in the gaps. Was it big enough for two people? Can’t wait to see what we do with it next week.  Do you think it is finished or do you think it still needs some special details?.  Will it offer shelter from the rain and the wind? What name would you like for our shelter? Maybe the name Turtle Tower or Deer Lookout?  A fun place to meet as we wind down our year at Coyote Nature School!