BugMobile- Online - The Chewonki Foundation
BugMobile- Online - The Chewonki Foundation
BugMobile- Online - The Chewonki Foundation
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!<br />
T H E B U G M O B I L E<br />
INSECTS AND THEIR RELATIVES<br />
Is a bug an insect? Is a spider a bug? <strong>The</strong>se questions and many more are answered in <strong>The</strong> <strong>BugMobile</strong>,<br />
bringing the world of arthropods - insects and their relatives, into your classroom. We look at the forms<br />
and functions of different groups of arthropods and explore many fascinating adaptations essential for<br />
survival such as mimicry, camouflage, armor and venom. <strong>The</strong> program includes live specimens, displays,<br />
models and activities to visually examine and understand the unique characteristics of these amazing<br />
creatures.<br />
This program is useful for introducing or concluding a unit of study on insects. It may also be used as a<br />
stimulus for writing projects, artwork, music, math, social studies, geography or physical education.<br />
Equipment and Room Requirements<br />
• A classroom or multi-purpose room space is fine.<br />
• It will help our instructors if your students are wearing the nametags provided in this packet.<br />
• Students may sit in chairs or on comfortable floor space where they will be able to easily view the<br />
displays and be involved in the activities.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> presentations may be done at a single location or in individual classrooms, if 15 minutes is allowed<br />
between presentations to move.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> maximum group size is 30.<br />
• Teachers must be present in the room during the program.<br />
• It is helpful to have a rolling cart available to move boxes into the building and to the classrooms.<br />
• It will help our instructors if your students are wearing the nametags provided in this packet.<br />
Note: Permits are required for most of the specimens (living and stuffed) that are used in <strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural History Programs and<br />
students are reminded of the legal limitations of private collections. All of our living animals are non-releasable because of prior injuries,<br />
confiscation, or were captive raised before arriving at <strong>Chewonki</strong>. No animals have been harmed or taken specifically for use in <strong>Chewonki</strong><br />
programs.<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural Programs www.chewonki.org<br />
!
Class Outline<br />
Each presentation takes one full hour and is designed for grades 3-6, but can be adjusted for younger or<br />
older groups. No specific preparation is required for this presentation.<br />
A. Introduction<br />
1. What is an arthropod?<br />
2. What animals are arthropods?<br />
B. Crustaceans<br />
1. Activity: A student is dressed as a lobster to show the different body parts.<br />
2. Live Crayfish<br />
C. Arachnids<br />
1. A model is used to show different body parts.<br />
2. We discuss wandering spiders vs. web builders.<br />
3. Live Chilean Rose Tarantula<br />
D. Centipedes and Millipedes<br />
1. We look at the differences between centipedes and millipedes.<br />
2. Live Giant Tropical Millipede<br />
E. Insects<br />
1. Activity: A student is dressed as a fly to show the different body parts of an insect.<br />
2. Live Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and live Annam Walking Sticks are used to discuss insects.<br />
F. Metamorphosis<br />
1. Complete and incomplete metamorphosis are discussed with the use of displays.<br />
G. Adaptations<br />
1. Protection: venom, noises, camouflage and mimicry.<br />
a. A “dead leaf” butterfly display.<br />
2. Communication: sound, colonies and pheromones.<br />
3. Movement: flying, swimming, jumping and crawling.<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural Programs www.chewonki.org
PRESS RELEASE<br />
Date:<br />
Contact:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bugmobile: “Insects and <strong>The</strong>ir Relatives”<br />
What: A one-hour program for those interested in bugs!<br />
When:<br />
Time:<br />
Where:<br />
Cost:<br />
Presenter:<br />
Is a bug an insect? Is a spider a bug? <strong>Chewonki</strong>’s Bugmobile program brings the world of arthropods-insects<br />
and their relatives--into the bigger picture.<br />
Using models, activities, and live specimens, this program will introduce you to the unique characteristics<br />
of the four major groups of arthropods.<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong>’s instructor will display live Walking Sticks, Hissing Cockroaches, a Tarantula, Giant African<br />
Millipedes and a Crayfish to help introduce some of the millions of species of arthropods that exist<br />
worldwide. Together, we will explore some of the fascinating adaptations essential for survival such as<br />
mimicry, camouflage, armor, and the use of venom.<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural Programs www.chewonki.org
!<br />
THE<br />
BUGMOBILE<br />
Insects and their relatives<br />
Is a bug an insect? Is a spider a bug? <strong>The</strong>se questions and many more are answered in the<br />
Bugmobile, bringing the world of arthropods, insects and their relatives closer to home.<br />
We will look at forms and functions of different groups of arthropods and explore many<br />
fascinating adaptations essential for survival such as mimicry, camouflage, armor and<br />
venom.<br />
This program includes displays, models and activities to visually examine and understand<br />
the unique characteristics of these amazing animals. Live arthropods including Giant<br />
Hissing Cockroaches, Giant Millipedes, a crayfish, and a tarantula are just some of the<br />
highlights of our program!<br />
Presented by:<br />
!<br />
WISCASSET, ME<br />
LOCATION: ______________________________________________<br />
DATE: _________________________ TIME: ____________________<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural Programs www.chewonki.org<br />
!
Abdomen <strong>The</strong> segmented tail area of arthropods.<br />
VOCABULARY<br />
Adaptation A physical characteristic or behavior that helps an animal to survive in its environment.<br />
Antennae Jointed appendages on the heads of arthropods that are used for sensory purposes.<br />
Arachnids Spiders, scorpions and ticks are examples of this group of arthropod. Arachnids have two body sections:<br />
a cephalothorax, with the distinctive eight legs, and the abdomen. Arachnids are wingless and have no<br />
antennae.<br />
Arthropods Insects, millipedes, centipedes, crustaceans and arachnids all belong to the phylum Arthropoda. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
invertebrate animals have jointed legs, a segmented body and an exoskeleton.<br />
Camouflage Markings or coloration that help disguise an animal so it is less visible to predators or prey.<br />
Centipede A predatory group of arthropods that have an elongate body with one pair of legs per body sections. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have a pair of venom claws, or forcipules, on their first segment.<br />
Cephalothorax <strong>The</strong> fused segments of the head and thorax found on arachnids and crustaceans.<br />
Crustaceans Lobsters, crayfish, crabs and shrimp are examples of this aquatic group of arthropods. Crustaceans have a<br />
body that is broken up into segments, a pair of jointed legs per body section, a hard exoskeleton made of<br />
chitin, and two pairs of antennae.<br />
Detritivore An animal that consumes dead plant or animal matter.<br />
Exoskeleton A hard body covering (shell) found on the outside of arthropods.<br />
Insects <strong>The</strong> largest and most diverse group of arthropods. Insects are characterized by having three body sections<br />
(head, thorax and abdomen), six legs, antennae and up to four wings.<br />
Invertebrate Animals lacking a backbone, such as arthropods.<br />
Larva <strong>The</strong> newly hatched, immature form of an arthropod. This form is often times markedly different than the<br />
adult appearance.<br />
Metamorphosis <strong>The</strong> complete change of physical form of an arthropod over time.<br />
Millipede An herbivorous group of arthropods that have a long cylindrical body and two pairs of legs per body<br />
segment.<br />
Mimicry Imitating or resembling another animal to help provide concealment and protection from predators.<br />
Pleopods Small abdominal limbs in crustaceans that are adapted for swimming and carrying eggs.<br />
Predators Animals that live by hunting and eating other animals.<br />
Scavenger An animal that eats plants or animals that are already dead.<br />
Spinneret A spider’s silk-spinning organ that is found on the underside of the abdomen.<br />
Thorax <strong>The</strong> middle region of an arthropod’s body that lies between its head and abdomen. <strong>The</strong> legs of an arthropod<br />
are attached to its thorax.<br />
Venom A toxin (poison) that is used by animals for protection or hunting.<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural Programs www.chewonki.org
WHAT MAKES AN<br />
INSECT AN INSECT?<br />
__________________________________________<br />
All animals are classified according to how they look, how they behave and how their bodies work in<br />
comparison with other animals’ bodies. Animals with the same characteristics are grouped together.<br />
Insects belong to the large group (phylum) of animals, called arthropods. Arthropods include<br />
crayfish, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, ticks, mites, and similar creatures. Arthropods have jointed legs<br />
(in fact the word arthropod means (“jointed leg”) and bodies that are divided into segments. (<strong>The</strong> segments<br />
are easy to see on millipedes or centipedes, but hard to see on some of the insects.) Insects are one group<br />
(class) of arthropods.<br />
Here are some of the characteristics that are common to all insects:<br />
Small size: Most insects are very small compared to birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish. Because of their<br />
small size they can live in places many other animals can’t. Insects range in length from about 1/100 th of<br />
an inch (.025cm) to over 13 inches (32.5 cm).<br />
Exoskeleton: Insects do not have skeletons inside their bodies for support as vertebrates (birds, mammals,<br />
reptiles, amphibians, and fish) do. Instead, they have a hard outer covering called an exoskeleton. (All<br />
arthropods, including spiders, mites, millipedes, and crayfish, have an exoskeleton.) It helps protect their<br />
internal organs and also helps prevent their drying out. <strong>The</strong> exoskeleton is made up of layers. <strong>The</strong> outside<br />
layer is waxy and acts like a waterproof raincoat. Underneath the waxy layer is a very tough, armor-like<br />
layer. <strong>The</strong> exoskeleton also acts as an anchor for insects’ muscles.<br />
Segments: All insects are made up of segments. Some segments overlap and allow the insects to be<br />
flexible. Insects have three main body-parts the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. With some insects it is<br />
almost impossible to see exactly where one main part of starts and the next one stops. But here’s an easy<br />
way to tell which part is which. Look for eyes, antennae, and mouth on the head. <strong>The</strong> legs and wings are<br />
attached to the thorax. And the abdomen is what’s left. (<strong>The</strong> head, thorax, and abdomen are further<br />
divided into smaller segments.)<br />
Legs: Most insects have six legs. (A few have no legs at all.) By looking at an insect’s legs, you can<br />
sometimes tell where an insect lives or what it eats. For example, mole crickets have digging legs with sharp<br />
claws and strong muscles in the front part of the leg. This allows them to tunnel quickly through soil.<br />
Many insects that live in water, such as water boatmen, have flattened, oar-like legs to help them paddle.<br />
Other insects, such as praying mantids and ambush bugs, have grasping legs. <strong>The</strong>se insects use their<br />
grasping legs to capture their prey and hold on tight. Grasshoppers and fleas have jumping legs.<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org
Wings: Insects are the only invertebrates (animals without backbones) that can fly. Only adult insects have<br />
wings. Being able to fly is a great advantage for insects. It means they can cover large distances to find new<br />
places to live, discover new food sources, escape quickly from enemies, and find mates. Some insects such<br />
as springtails, silverfish, bristletails, and ants, do not have wings; but most insects have two pairs. (Flies are<br />
the exception with only one pair of wings.) One way insects are identified and grouped into smaller<br />
subdivisions (orders) is by the arrangement of the veins in the wing.<br />
Eyes: Most insects have two types of eyes: simple and compound eyes are usually the biggest pair, often<br />
covering a large part of the head, although in some insects, especially those that live on the ground and eat<br />
plants, they are fairly small. <strong>The</strong> compound eyes are made up of thousands of tiny lenses that fit closely<br />
together. <strong>The</strong> lenses force light rays to bend and focus on special cells behind the eye. Each lens forms one<br />
little picture, and all the lenses together form a mosaic composite of the world around the insect.<br />
This mosaic picture is not very sharp and lacks detail. Compared to people, most insects poor<br />
eyesight. For example, a person can see 100 times more detail than a honey bee. However, the more lenses<br />
in the compound eye the better the insect can see. Dragonflies have the best eyesight, some having over<br />
25,000 separate lenses in each eye. House flies have over 4,000. Compound eyes can recognize color and<br />
pattern and are very sensitive to movement. Usually only adults and nymphs have compound eyes.<br />
Many insects also have a triangle of three simple eyes between their compound eyes, although<br />
some have only two, one, or none. Most entomologists (scientists who study insects) are not sure exactly how<br />
these simple eyes are used, but they know the eyes are sensitive to light and dark.<br />
Antennae: Most insects have a pair of sensitive antennae on their heads. <strong>The</strong>se are used to feel, smell,<br />
and, in some insects, hear. Insect antennae differ in size, shape, and how they are used. You can<br />
frequently tell which insect is which just by looking at its antennae. With certain insects, such as moths<br />
and mosquitoes, you can often tell the males from the females by comparing the antennae. (<strong>The</strong> males’<br />
antennae are more feathery than the females’. <strong>The</strong> males use their antennae to pick up the scent of a<br />
potential mate. See discussion of pheromones below.)<br />
Hairs: Insects are covered with thousands of sensory hairs that stick out of their exoskeletons. <strong>The</strong> hairs<br />
are connected to the central nervous system and are very sensitive to movement, pressure, smell, and<br />
sound. Thousands of hairs cover the legs, antennae, and all other body parts of insects.<br />
Insect Blood: Insects have a very simple circulatory system. <strong>The</strong>y do not have a complex network of veins<br />
and arteries, as more advanced animals do. Instead they have a simple heart that pumps blood through<br />
open body cavities. <strong>The</strong> blood is almost colorless and does not carry oxygen. (Vertebrate blood contains<br />
hemoglobin, an iron compound that carries oxygen to the cells. Hemoglobin is what makes vertebrate<br />
blood red.) Insect blood carries dissolved food to the cells and carries off waste materials.<br />
Pheromones: Many insects can produce chemicals, called pheromones, that communicate messages to other<br />
insects. One function of the insect pheromones is to attract the opposite sex. <strong>The</strong> strength of these<br />
chemical attractants can be amazing. Female silkworm moths, for example, can produce pheromones that<br />
male silkworm moths can detect up to two miles away!<br />
Besides being powerful sex attractants, pheromones serve other purposes. Ants that find a good<br />
food source may produce a “pheromone trail” when they return to their ant hill with some of the food.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n the other cants can follow the trail back to the food source without getting lost.<br />
Insect pheromones are used to help control insect pests. For more about this human use of<br />
pheromones, see page 46 of the “People and Insects” section.<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org
STAYING ALIVE<br />
_________________________________________<br />
Insects are a very successful group of animals. <strong>The</strong>y have been around for over 350 million years and<br />
were here long before the dinosaurs roamed the earth. And they have managed to survive in almost every<br />
type of habitat.<br />
One of the reasons for their success is their ability to reproduce quickly. Like all living things,<br />
insects have the ability to adapt to a changing environment. (Adaptations occur over many, many<br />
generations.) Because of their high reproductive rate, insects can adapt more quickly to new situations<br />
than many other types of animals.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ability to reproduce quickly is just one of the ways insects have adapted. Here are other<br />
adaptations that have contributed to the success of insects:<br />
Small Size: Because of their small size, insects can live in places that man other animals can’t. This gives<br />
them an advantage in finding a place to live and in hiding from enemies.<br />
Hard Exoskeleton: Having a hard exoskeleton is a great protection-from enemies and from drying up. (See<br />
page 4 for more information.)<br />
Eggs for the Future: Insects have large numbers of offspring and a high reproductive rate. For example,<br />
some pomace flies have 25 generations in one year or season. (Compare that to humans, who have one<br />
generation every 25 years.) Each female can lay up to 100 eggs. Now suppose a female laid 100 eggs and all<br />
those eggs hatched into adults (50 males and 50 females). And suppose all those flies mated and the<br />
females each laid 100 eggs and they all hatched, survived to adulthood, mated, and the females laid 100<br />
eggs each. Now if these ideal conditions kept up for 25 generations, by the end of the year, if all the<br />
offspring lived and reproduced, there would be 10 41 flies. If you rolled all those flies into a ball, it would<br />
fill the distance from here to the sun. Now that’s a lot of flies. And from just one original female!<br />
Of course, all insects don’t survive. Most are eaten by other animals, poisoned by insecticides,<br />
infected by diseases or parasites, or killed in some way before they get a chance to mate and lay eggs.<br />
But having large numbers of offspring is important. Most insects, like other invertebrates, do not<br />
care for their young after they hatch. <strong>The</strong> females lay hundreds of eggs and leave them to survive on their<br />
own. <strong>The</strong>se large numbers ensure that at least some of the young will survive. (Mammals and birds have a<br />
different reproductive strategy. <strong>The</strong>y have very few young. But each one has a much greater chance of<br />
surviving because it is cared for by the parents and may learn from its parents.)<br />
Camouflage: One of the best ways to keep from being eaten is to keep from being seen. Hiding and<br />
disguising are forms of camouflage. Moths, walking sticks, caterpillars, katydids, and man other types of<br />
insets are expert camouflage artists.<br />
A Strong Defense: Some insects will defend themselves from enemies with special protective adaptations<br />
such as chemical sprays (bombardier beetles, skunk beetles), biting jaws (ants, tiger beetles, hellgrammites),<br />
stingers (bees, wasps), poison (blister beetles, some caterpillars), and other weapons.<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org
Mimicry: Many insects look like something they’re not. This is called mimicry. Some use mimicry to<br />
escape from being noticed. For example, some weevils (a type of beetle) look just like bird droppingssomething<br />
most hungry animals wouldn’t be interested in. Some caterpillars look just like sticks or twigs.<br />
And many insects mimic thorns or leaves.<br />
Sometimes harmless insects mimic poisonous or stinging ones. For example, flower flies mimic<br />
wasps and bees. If a bird has tried to eat a wasp or bee and has gotten stung it will avoid anything that<br />
looks like a stinging insect, even if it is a harmless fly.<br />
Escape: Many insects such as cockroaches and silver fish, have specialized legs adapted for running that<br />
allow them to make a fast getaway from enemies. And many insects fly away when trouble gets near.<br />
Surprise: Some insects surprise their enemies with unexpected “tricks.” For example, many caterpillars<br />
and moths have huge eyespots on their wings or heads to scare off or confuse their enemies. Others have<br />
false heads. And one caterpillar puffs up to look like a snake when it is disturbed.<br />
Freeze: Many insects, such as weevils and walking sticks, freeze or play dead when enemies try to attack.<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org
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RANGER RICK'S NATURESCOPE: INCREDIBI..E INSECTS<br />
Turn this mixed-up insect into a grasshopper!<br />
Cut out the pieces along the<br />
dotted lines and glue them together to<br />
make a grasshopper. <strong>The</strong>n label these<br />
parts: HEAD, THORAX, ABDOMEN,<br />
EYE, ANTENNAE, LEGS, WINGS, ANd<br />
SPIRACLES. Here's what it should look<br />
{ like when you're done.<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org<br />
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Use the clues below to find the insect words hidden in the cicada. <strong>The</strong> words may read<br />
frontward, backward, up, down, and diagonally.<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> larva of this insect often spins a cocoon: -'_.__<br />
2. An insect goes through many changes to become an --<br />
3. Nymphs and larvae can't fly because they don't have fully developed<br />
4. <strong>The</strong> larva of this insect makes a chrysalis: ---<br />
5. <strong>The</strong> changes an insect goes through as it grows are called<br />
6. <strong>The</strong> nymphs of many aquatic insects breathe with --<br />
7 . <strong>The</strong> first stage in an insect's life cycle is the<br />
8. An insect that changes in 4ffie stages-egg, larva, pupd, adult-goes through<br />
metamorphosis.<br />
9. In complete metamorphosis, the egg hatches into the<br />
10. An insect that changes in 3 life stages-!gg, nymph, adult-goes through --,<br />
or incomplete, metamorphosis.<br />
11. To grow, an insect must , or shed its exoskeleton.<br />
12. A --- is the young form of an insect that goes through incomplete or simple<br />
metamorphosis.<br />
13. Female insects deposit their eggs through an<br />
14. .A moth or butterfly larva is called a -__<br />
15. <strong>The</strong> is the resting stage of complete metamorphosis.<br />
16. <strong>The</strong> larva of a beetle is sometimes called a ----.<br />
17. <strong>The</strong> larva of a fly is sometimes called a ---<br />
(from Ranger Rick's NatureScope Incredibie Insects reprinted with permission from the National WildMe Federation)<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org<br />
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25
Growing-Up Word Search (p.25)<br />
U S S O - - - ' * - ' - ' S O H P R<br />
U S E \ ' \ \ - . / , , " F C A Y R I N<br />
L I U U L \ - T J - < - r . - / ] 0 ( s I M P L E D<br />
R \ { S S O M B \ / W T C O M P L E T E ) T A<br />
O D C E A V - - r I / M I G E R O U S P<br />
E C O O H T W I A I N R V E C L I U B E S O L F P B E T E V<br />
E P 6 L L I I G ] I S E R 6 I S O - H P R O M A T E M ) R I<br />
E C T N O<br />
1. moth 2. adult 3. wings 4. butterfly 5.<br />
metamorphosis 6. gills 7. egg 8. complete 9.<br />
larva 10. simple 11. molt 12. nymph 13.<br />
ovipositor 14. caterpillar 15. pupa 16. grub U.<br />
maggot<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org
t -<br />
CopYcAT PacE ANANT'sA-unzrNG Wonlp<br />
Help the ant find a safe path to the food in the meadow. <strong>The</strong>n help it take<br />
the food to the food room in its colony.<br />
SHREW<br />
ON THE<br />
PROWL!<br />
DEan /:b. ^<br />
d"uunjigFffi.;,<br />
With Permission from NWF’s Nature Scope. Incredible Insects. www.chewonki.org<br />
RANGER RICK,S NATURESCOPE: INCREDIBLE INSECTS<br />
1 1<br />
th<br />
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VII I<br />
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Arachnid Myths and Stories<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Fire and the Spider” from Myths, Legends and Old Sayings by Hastings Shade--taken from the<br />
newsletter “<strong>The</strong> Talking Leaf” from Powersource (a Native American Cultural Center with stories of<br />
animals, biographies of famous Native Americans, art, etc.)<br />
Many, many years ago when the earth was still cold and dark, animals, birds and insects could still<br />
communicate but there was no fire. <strong>The</strong> Indians needed fire to stay warm and to cook with. At this time,<br />
however, there were a race of giants who had fire and were called <strong>The</strong> Fire People. All the animals got<br />
together and decided that they should get some fire from the Fire People. <strong>The</strong> bear went first since he was<br />
the strongest. He came back and told the other animals that he had indeed tried his best, but that he had<br />
been unable to get any fire. Just then, the animals heard a tiny voice, “Let me try,” said the spider. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
laughed and said, “You’re too small.”<br />
But as each animal tried and returned with the sad news that they had failed, the spider’s small<br />
voice was still heard saying, “Let me try.” Finally, she was the only one left, so they agreed to let her try.<br />
Spider fashioned a small clay pot with a lid on it and put it on her back as she started toward the fire. She<br />
would run a little ways and stop, run a little ways and stop. As she approached the fire, it began to grow<br />
light. When she finally reached the fire, she put a small ember into the clay pot.<br />
Immediately, the fire was missed by the Fire People. <strong>The</strong>y looked all over for the missing fire. <strong>The</strong><br />
spider would run a little ways and stop, run a little ways and stop, until she got right to the water’s edge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Fire People were almost on top of her, but they were afraid of the water, because they new it would<br />
put them out. Spider slipped into the water, so the Fire People figured that the fire she had stolen had<br />
been put out. So they went away thinking that their fire was safe. What they didn’t know was that the<br />
ember had baked the clay pot to be water proof. So when the Fire People left, the spider came out of the<br />
water and brought the fire to the Indians. This is the Sacred Fire of the Cherokees.<br />
Also, the Great Spirit saw what she did and gave her the ability to live underwater. Today, you<br />
know her as the Water Spider. She still carries a little pot on her back, but it is now called an egg sack.<br />
A spider tradition in Islam--also from the newsletter “<strong>The</strong> Talking Leaf” by Powersource.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is a famous tradition in Islam that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) first<br />
fled from Mecca pursued by its angry residents, he hid in a cave. That night a spider spun its webs across<br />
the cave’s entrance so when his pursuers got to the cave they were convinced not to search for him inside.<br />
Spiders are still given special respect by Muslims.<br />
A similar older story is told of a Hindu Princess fleeing from pursuers which suggests either that<br />
this is an archetypal myth about the spider or that the totem being has helped more than one famous<br />
person!<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural History Programs www.chewonki.org
King Robert the Bruce--from “<strong>The</strong> Talking Leaf” from Powersource.<br />
In Scotland, it is said that the King Robert the Bruce who had fought the English in several battles,<br />
losing each one, took shelter in a cave. <strong>The</strong>re he watched a spider building its web. Each time the spider<br />
laid a strand, the wind blew it away but the spider did not give up. Eventually after countless attempts the<br />
strands held and with the web, built Robert the Bruce saw it take its first dinner. This was said to impress<br />
the Great King of Scotland to eventual victory over the English at the Battle of Bannock Burn.<br />
A Noiseless Patient Spider<br />
A NOISELESS, patient spider,<br />
I mark’d where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated;<br />
Mark’d how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding<br />
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself;<br />
Ever unreeling them--ever tirelessly speeding them.<br />
And you, O my Soul, where you stand,<br />
Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space,<br />
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, --seeking the spheres, to connect them;<br />
Till the bridge you will need, be form’d--till the ductile anchor hold;<br />
Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.<br />
Design<br />
I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,<br />
On a white heal-all, holding up a moth<br />
Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth,<br />
Assorted characters of death and blight<br />
Mixed ready to begin the morning right,<br />
Like the ingredients of a witches’ broth,<br />
A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth,<br />
And dead wings carried like a paper kite.<br />
What had that flower to do with being white,<br />
<strong>The</strong> wayside blue and innocent heal-all?<br />
What brought the kindred spider to that height,<br />
<strong>The</strong>n steered the white moth thither in the night?<br />
What but design of darkness to appall?<br />
If design govern in a thing so small.<br />
Robert Frost, 1874-1963<br />
Walt Whitman, 1900. Leaves of Grass<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural History Programs www.chewonki.org
Butterfly Name Tags<br />
Photocopy this page and cut out the butterfly nametags for your participants to wear! Nametags worn during presentation help<br />
to excite students about arthropods and make it easier for the presenters to involve the children by name.<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural History Programs www.chewonki.org
Recommended Websites<br />
This list of recommended websites contains information pertaining to the program you have ordered. <strong>The</strong>se websites are not associated with<br />
the <strong>Chewonki</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> and we are not responsible for the content or advertising found therein.<br />
Crayfish Molt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF6NgMBcNCM<br />
Notes: This video is a bit long but half way through you get the instant action of a crayfish molting<br />
Insects and their Allies: http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/index.html<br />
Notes: <strong>The</strong> Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) put together a great<br />
site on all invertebrates. <strong>The</strong>y make it very easy to find information on a group or a single organism<br />
Insects and Spiders: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/insects-spiders/index.html<br />
Notes: Use this site to just identify your bugs or ask those questions you have been wondering, or many use<br />
of the other interesting resources and links.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Arthropod Story: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/arthropodstory<br />
Notes: From University of California, Berkeley, the Understand Evolution team has put together this site<br />
that can also be printed up. This interactive program has moving pictures, quick facts and is very easy to<br />
understand<br />
University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences National Public Health Pesticide Applicator<br />
Training Manual: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/fasulo/vector/chapter_07.htm<br />
Notes: This web site gives a good basic amount of information for you to pick and choose your bugs and<br />
their cool facts.<br />
Suggested Readings<br />
Greenaway, <strong>The</strong>resa. 2000. Big Book of Bugs Dorling Kindersley Limited. London, UK.<br />
Notes: Great for 9-12 years of age, but the pictures are great for all ages and the facts are quick as easy top<br />
understand<br />
Johnson, Jinny. 2000. Simon & Schuster Children’s Guide to Insects and Spiders Dorling Kindersley Limited.<br />
London, UK.<br />
Notes: Illustrated fact book for Grades 3-5, this is a great book to get for your classroom.<br />
Bonotaux, Gilles. 2007. Dirty Rotten Bugs: Arthropods Unite to Tell <strong>The</strong>ir Side of the Story. Two-Can Publishing<br />
Inc.<br />
Notes: For the younger group of students, ages 4-8, this is a humorous introduction using illustrations and<br />
true facts that remains age appropriate.<br />
Barnes, R.S.K, Peter Calow, Peter Olive. 2001. <strong>The</strong> Invertebrates: A Synthesis. Blackwell Publishing.<br />
Notes: Being one step of the kids can always help and this text gives both an understanding of the animals<br />
phylum by phylum as well as anatomical and physiological systems for better-known species.<br />
National Audubon Society 1980. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders.<br />
Knopf.<br />
Notes: It is always good to have one of these on hand if you are doing a field trip to the woods. Its has the<br />
quick find pictures for you and your kids identification experience.<br />
<strong>Chewonki</strong> Traveling Natural History Programs www.chewonki.org