Tip #246 from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKInley, Trombly): Life Cycle of an Insect

Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.

#246

Mystery Insect: The Life Cycle of an Insect

Here’s an opportunity for you and your child to observe all four stages of the life cycle of an insect right in your own home. Here’s what you’ll need:

● plastic (see through) cup;

● plastic wrap;

● rubber band;

● Corn Flakes cereal; and

● mealworms (from pet store—they use them for feeding other animals).

1. Fill the plastic cup ¾ of the way with the Corn Flakes.

2. Add 4-6 mealworms.

3. Cover the cup with plastic wrap, and secure it with the rubber band.

4. Poke several small holes in the plastic for air.

5. Add a tiny piece of moist paper towel every three days or so for moisture (not too much, though, or the cereal will get moldy.

6. Place the cup in indirect sunlight.

The mealworms are in the larvae stage of the life cycle. In this stage, they will live in the flakes and eat them, too! Every few days, your child should empty the cup carefully onto a paper plate and spread the flakes around to find the mealworms (they are similar in color to the flakes). She can measure the mealworms and write the measurements down in her science journal (Idea #224) or just a piece of paper. While the mealworms are out, she can count the number of segments each has and watch the way they move. Get a magnifying lens, and look at them close up (and draw them). Try different things, and observe them. What do they do if you put an obstacle in their way (go around? crawl over?)? What if you blow lightly on them? Cover them up? Put a drop of water next to them (do they go near it or away from it)? How do they feel crawling on your finger?

When she’s done looking at them, have her carefully pour the flakes (you do not need new flakes) and the mealworms back into the cup. She can add a small piece of moist paper towel or a tiny piece of carrot for moisture.

Have her pour out the flakes and observe the mealworms every few days to measure, observe, and record her observations. It won’t be long before she starts to notice they are getting shorter and fatter. She will also notice that they molt and leave behind their old skin. Not long after that, they will start to go into the pupae stage. They stop moving and almost look dead, but they are not. Be patient. Soon, the color will change, and the metamorphosis will take place. They will enter into the last stage of the life cycle (adult) and become insects. What kind? You’ll have to do it to find out!

Cindy McKinley Alder Patti Trombly

For more posts about the authors and their books (this is not the only one), click HERE.
For excerpts from more books, click HERE.
For more excerpts from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents, click HERE.
For more posts about books about parenting, click HERE.

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