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On Beyond Bugs! All About Insects (The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library)
Last updated Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Author: Tish Rabe
Illustrator: Aristides Ruiz
Date of Publication: 1999
ISBN: 0679873031
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2024
Synopsis:
"I'm the Cat in the Hat, and I'm glad that I found you. Right now, if you look, you'll see insects around you."
The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library series combines beloved characters, engaging rhymes, and Seussian illustrations to introduce children to non-fiction topics from the real world! In this journey into the world of insects, readers will learn:
- how ants can lift things ten times their weight
- how bees communicate by dancing
- why flies buzz
- and much more!
| Note to readers: |
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Take your time. There aren’t a lot of words, but there is a lot of information for first graders. Be prepared to explain just about every page.
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There’s a very helpful glossary on page 42. Familiarize yourself with these terms so you can explain them simply.
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Pay careful attention as you walk to the classroom, and you may be able to point out some bugs and get the kids interested in them!
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you heard of The Cat in the Hat? (They probably celebrate Dr. Seuss Day and recognize the striped hat.) Today, he’s going to teach the children about bugs.
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Note the title of the book and explain that “insects” are what we usually call “bugs.”
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What do you think about bugs? Are there good ones and bad ones? There are so many different kinds, it’s interesting to learn more about each one.
Vocabulary
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See the glossary on page 42 for key definitions (abdomen, chrysalis, hive, insect, pollen, pollination, thorax).
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Shell: the hard covering on an insect’s body
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Antenee: the “feelers” on a bug’s head
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Flash: make short bursts of light
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Queen bee: She’s in charge of the hive. All she does is lay eggs, and all the other bees do the work and take care of her.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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On page 8-9, be sure the kids know the bug basics. (Most have shells, lay eggs and have six legs.) Be sure to explain why spiders aren’t insects (because they have eight legs). Encourage then to share that information with family and friends. J Have they seen any of these common insects?
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Insects have feelers/antenee to see and sense things around them. Can you imagine seeing hearing and feeling with antenee?
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Bees and wasps are bright and noisy to warn you to stay away. Other insects have ways of hiding. If you were a bug, how would you protect yourself?
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Did you know ladybugs smell bad? Only other insects can smell them.
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What could you lift if you were as strong as an ant?
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Have you seen bees on flowers? Have you noticed yellow dust on flowers? That’s very important for pollination.
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How high could you jump if you were a flea?
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Have you ever had a mosquito bite?
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Did you know caterpillars and butterflies are the same thing?
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Imagine tasting your food with your feet! (like a butterfly)
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Which bugs can you remember learning about in this book? Which is you favorite or most interesting?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make headbands from construction paper to look like different bugs. Add pipe cleaners for fun antenee.
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Cut egg cartons into sections of three. Color with markers, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners to make a bug.
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Make butterflies from coffee filters. Color with markers, accordian-fold the wings and attach pip-cleaner antenee with a clothes clip.
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Make butterflies from construction paper. Fold in half and help them cut out one side of the wing, so they are even.
#Using popsicle sticks, puff balls, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners, you can make all kinds of bug bookmarks.
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Cut three circles of construction paper (for the three body parts), attach googly eyes and six pipe cleaner legs. Glue to a stiff paper or stick to make it a puppet.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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