Chirp! Chirp!

We have been studying bugs in the classroom, a favorite for all kindergarten students-- even the squealing girls! This week we are comparing and contrasting grasshoppers and crickets. We not only went on a "bug hunt" we are also reading non-ficiton books about the two creatures. Today we got into "story" mode and read "The Very Quiet Cricket" by Eric Carle. As a follow up to this reading we did an arts and craft activity that was a bit challenging because it had so many parts-- but was fun for the kids to make nonetheless. Here is how to make our cute crickets:

Materials: 
1/2 sheet of light blue construction paper
Brown construction paper
Googley eyes
Brown Pipe Cleaners
Markers
Glue Sticks

1) Pre cut all of the shapes needed. Below is an example of the sizes you will need per child. You will also need 2 small legs for each student.

1 oval
1 large rectangle
1 medium rectangle
1 small rectangle
1 triangle for the "tail end"
2 brown legs


2) Hand out light blue construction paper and have students create a "backdrop" or "setting" for their crickets. This is a great time to get out the markers!

3) When students have created their backdrop they can get their cricket pieces. I modeled how to put the cricket together for them before we started and hung it on the board.

4) When they have finished putting their crickets together they can grab eyes and draw on the antennae and they smile.

5) The last step is the large hopping leg. The teacher should use a pen and apply firm pressure to create a hole in the paper. (Not too big- just enough for the leg to fit through) Put the leg through the paper and tape it in the back. Bend the leg into shape.

This is a photo of how much leg I stuck through the back. There is a piece of tape on it, but it's hard to see. 








And again the finished product....