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How to Investigate Insects

Backyard· Minibeasts· Nature Journaling· Seasons

12 Jan

“Children are encouraged to patiently and quietly watch until they learn something of the habits and history of bee, ant, wasp, spider, hairy caterpillar, dragonfly and whatever of larger growth comes in their way… Let all he finds out about be entered in his diary, by his mother if writing be a labour to him… Where he finds it, what it is doing or seems to him to be doing, its colour and shape…” Charlotte Mason

We began a study of flora in our district and will continue our observations of nature in our area with an insect study. Connections between plants and insects are a link in our seasonal cycles.

Plants bloom with flowers of all shapes and colours, providing nectar and pollen to the insect world pollinating the plants in their quest to feed and multiply. Thus, enabling plants to fruit and seed, producing food for people and animals.

“But insects are of interest to us for other reasons than the influence they may have upon our material welfare; the study of them is a fruitful field for intellectual growth. It is not a small matter to be able to view intelligently the facts presented by the insect world, to know something of what is going on around us. And so extensive and complex is this field that no one gains more than a smattering concerning it.”

Anna Botsford Comstock

There is an abundance of insects to investigate in summer. What insects are busy buzzing around your place? We’ve noticed beetles emerging from their hiding places, eager to meet a partner and lay eggs that will eventually hatch and burrow under bark or in soil. Isn’t it amazing, that without fail, each year, a new colony of beetles emerges to pollinate and reproduce as the year before and they’ve been doing this since creation?

There are more insects on earth than any other creature and new species are discovered often. I wonder, explorer, will you have an insect named after you? Insects can be found everywhere if you have the eyes to see.

“But it is not necessary that one should have the tastes and leisure required for careful scientific investigation in order to profit from this study. It can be made a recreation, a source of entertainment when we are tired, a pleasant occupation for our thoughts when we walk.”

Anna Botsford Comstock

Table of Contents

    • Ideas for investigating insects:
    • If you need a little guidance, here are a few resources that may lead you along the path of insect investigation this season:
    • ACCESS A DRAGONFLY LESSON FROM THE AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE-SPRING/SUMMER  HERE.
    • ACCESS A HONEYBEE LESSON FROM THE AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE-SUMMER/AUTUMN  HERE.
    • CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TO RECEIVE SETS OF TASK CARDS THAT INCLUDE FUN NATURE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN LIKE THIS DRAGONFLY LIFE CYCLE.
    • EXPECT THE PONDING TASK CARDS TO POP INTO YOUR INBOX THIS NOVEMBER.
  • Come along! Walk with me…

Ideas for investigating insects:

  • One way to investigate insects is to observe them as they visit flowering plants. Choose a ‘sit spot’ in front of one plant and observe the insects that visit for about ten minutes. We watched insects visit the Common Fringe Myrtle and we were amazed to see many insects swarming the shrub. Make a list to record the insects pollinating a plant and include a nature journal entry of your observations.
  • Another way to investigate insects is to search for their homes. Admire their complex architecture and observe their behaviour near the nest. Think about what they’re trying to achieve. Sketch their nest and document their behaviour in a nature journal.
  • Learn how to pin and preserve butterflies and moths at Woodlark.
Preserve and Pin your own insect board. Photo and activity by Woodlark.
  • Discuss the anatomy of an insect. The three main body parts are the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head includes the antennae, compound eyes, simple eyes (ocelli), and the mouthparts. The thorax has six legs and the wings attached to it, while the abdomen bears the spiracles and ovipositor. Draw the anatomy of an ant in your nature journal and label the parts.
  • Ask questions and investigate to find the answers. How do insects breathe? How do they hear? Can they hear? Can they see colour? What kind of life cycle do they have? Why is pollination important? Why do they moult and how many times will they moult before becoming adults? Make a list of your questions in a nature journal. You’ll find, as you explore, questions will be answered as connections are made.
  • Cast your resin bug collection at Kylie Howarth
Cast your own resin bug collection. Photo and activity by Kylie Howarth.
  • Research and discuss metamorphosis. Which insects undergo complete metamorphoses like the butterfly or incomplete metamorphosis like the grasshopper? Draw the life cycle of an insect you have seen.
  • Include the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock in the investigation of insect nature study.
  • Identify the insects you encounter with a local field guide.
  • Download iNaturalist or QuestaGame to share your animal or plant encounters or ask for an identification. Or create a group within the app and play with your friends.
  • Buy a Chrysalis Kit and observe a butterfly metamorphosis.
  • Buy silkworm eggs to watch the life cycle of a moth, or perhaps you know of someone who may have eggs from their own silkworm project.
Insect List

“But watch him at his investigations, he flits from thing to thing with less purpose than a butterfly amongst flowers, staying at nothing long enough to get the good out of it. It is the mother’s part to supplement the child’s quick observing faculty with the habit of attention. She must see to it that he does not flit from this to that, but looks long enough at one thing to get a real acquaintance.” Charlotte Mason

At times, when intentional nature study is desired, it’s profitable to encourage children to look a little longer for detail in the object of observation as this increases the child’s attention span and provides opportunities for questions and wonders to form.

If you need a little guidance, here are a few resources that may lead you along the path of insect investigation this season:

Beetle Identification Cards
Native Bee Identification Cards – Australian native bees can be found in most of the country’s diverse habitats. They buzz through wildflowers in the heathlands, congregate in the flowering gums, and burrow into desert sands. Become acquainted with some of these fascinating insects humming in your area by using the cards to identify a few common native bees in your backyard. Introduce native bees to the nature detective in your home to encourage their awareness of the fragile creatures. The bee key cards make a great ID reference when out on trails observing the Australian bee species. Use them as a Montessori resource or take them along on your next nature adventure.

ACCESS A DRAGONFLY LESSON FROM THE AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE-SPRING/SUMMER  HERE.

Download Dragonfly Nature Study Lesson

ACCESS A HONEYBEE LESSON FROM THE AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE-SUMMER/AUTUMN  HERE.

Download Honeybee Nature Study Lesson

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TO RECEIVE SETS OF TASK CARDS THAT INCLUDE FUN NATURE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN LIKE THIS DRAGONFLY LIFE CYCLE.

EXPECT THE PONDING TASK CARDS TO POP INTO YOUR INBOX THIS NOVEMBER.

Insects are interesting subjects to study. Did you know the dragonfly is possibly the fastest flying insect and the cicada is the loudest insect? Did you know that insects play dead or emit foul odours to protect themselves and they are the hardest working group of creatures on earth?

Come along! Walk with me…

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About Marie

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children have graduated. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

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Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/
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