Family Literacy Backpacks
Family fun and learning are promoted through take-home, theme-focused backpacks. Ideas for materials and activities which can be included in these great backpacks are provided.
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English/Language Arts Academic Standards
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- Reading Comprehension
- Reading Vocabulary
Family Activities
- Family Fun Ideas
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- Create a list of books in the journal that you would recommend be added to the pack!
- As you learn and gather information about insects, keep track of it in a database.
- Take a hike! As a family take your bug book and see if you can identify the bugs in your backyard, local park, school yard, etc. When you are on your hike, pick 5 different bugs to identify and count. Use the information and graph it in a spreadsheet.
- Insects Book Activities
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- Make a memory game using names of insects from the book.
- Play with a family member.
- Journal: Choose an insect and write a story about it.
- Go for a walk outside. Keep a list of different insects you see. (seasonal activity)
- Visit "Alien Empire" web site to view a multi-media lesson on insects.
- Visit a pet shop.
- Create an insect aquarium.
- Visit a local beekeeper.
- What's that Bug? Book Activities
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- Begin a bug collection.
- Choose an insect to draw and label the parts of the insect.
- Journal: Write interesting facts about your favorite insect.
- Visit "Encarta Encyclopedia" web site and use the keyword: insects to learn more.
- Watch the movie "A Bug's Life" and eat a buggy snack!
- A Fly Went By Book Activities
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- Create your own picture book about an insect.
- Go visit a lake and observe the insect life. (seasonal)
- Make a finger puppet of each character from the story.
- Act out the book with family members.
- Journal: Write your own story about a character.
- Journal: List the chain of events starting with the fly.
- The Handy Bug Answer Book Activities
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- Create your own bug using a variety of materials: clay, paint, paper, etc.
- Discuss the Q & A's from the book with a family member.
- Create riddles about insects for family members to solve.
- Choose a bug and write a poem.
- Choose your favorite insects and classify them according to their characteristics. (color, shape, size)
- Creepy Crawlies Book Activities
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- Check the Nastiest Bugs in the Backyard for addt'l information.
- Play the Crazy Creepy Crawlies game with a friend.
- Select an insect's habitat and make a diorama. Can you camouflage it?
- Take a nature walk with your family and observe insects outdoors using a magnifying glass. (seasonal activity)
- visit "Yuckiest Site on the Internet" for more information about insects.
- A Bug's Life Video Activities
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- Make ‘Ants on a Log' by spreading peanut butter on celery and topping it with raisins (ants).
- Enjoy the show!
- Discuss with a family member your favorite characters and why.
- Journal: Write a story from a bug's point of view.
- Journal: Write about a time when you had to have teamwork to solve a problem.
- Journal: Write a movie critique. What you liked/disliked about the film. Thumbs up?
- The Grouchy Lady Bug Book Activities
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- Draw a ladybug or create a ladybug with materials found in your home.
- Discuss what types of materials were used in the book for the illustrations.
- Discuss with your family the importance of having manners.
- Can you read the clock hands? Ask a family member to show you how to tell time.
- Crickwing Book Activities
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- Can you predict with the story is about?
- After reading the story discuss family nicknames and how people got them.
- Cockroaches are both predator and prey.
- Find 5 foods that cockroach eats, and 5 predators that eat cockroaches! Yuck!
- Make a get well card for Crickwing from the ants who helped him.
Books to Include |
- A Fly Went By
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By Mike McClintock - Ages 4-8
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- Crickwig
- by Janell Cannon -primary and up
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- Insects
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DK Eyewitness Explorers - 8-12
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- The Grouchy Ladybug
- By Eric Carle -Primary
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- The Handy Bug Answer Book
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By Dr. Gilbert Waldbauer - Ages 8-12
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- What’s that Bug
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By Nan Froman - Ages 8-12
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Web Sites for Fun |
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List of Additional Resources |
| Puzzles & Games |
- Creepy Crawlies Kid Kit
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by Usborne - ages 8-12
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- Journal
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for all ages
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- The Crazy Creepy Crawlies Game
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paperback by Cherie Sinnen
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- The Nastiest Bugs in the Backyard
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A Spotter's Guide by Klutz Press - ages 9-12
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| Videos |
- A Bug's Life
- By Walt Disney (rated G)
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Resource Link
If you are thinking of creating a literacy backpack for bugs,
here are suggested resources you can include in your backpack: bugs resources.
Workshop Offerings
Visit our BTLC Partner Web Site!
The Buddy Teaching and Learning Center site, www.btlc.org, is the place to find and register for quality professional development and technology training opportunities offered by the team of Buddy facilitators who are all experienced Indiana teachers and administrators.
