Core Skills Analysis
Science
The student found a praying mantis in the backyard and carefully watched it for several minutes. They noted the mantis’s green coloration, the way its front legs were folded like prayer hands, and how it turned its head to track moving insects. By comparing what they observed to a picture in a field guide, the student learned that a praying mantis is an insect with an exoskeleton, compound eyes, and predatory habits. They also discovered that mantises can camouflage themselves to blend into leaves and catch prey quickly.
Tips
1. Set up a simple “insect observation station” with a magnifying glass, notebook, and a shallow container so the child can safely watch the mantis over a few days. 2. Conduct a mini‑investigation by researching what mantises eat, then create a short, illustrated food‑chain poster that includes the mantis, its prey, and its predators. 3. Extend the lesson to habitat science by planting a small pollinator garden and recording which insects visit, comparing their features to the mantis. 4. Encourage the child to write a first‑person “day in the life” story from the mantis’s perspective to deepen empathy and narrative skills.
Book Recommendations
- The Insect Book by DK: A vibrant, picture‑rich guide that introduces common insects, including praying mantises, with fun facts and easy‑to‑read captions.
- National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs by Catherine D. Hughes: A colorful introduction to bugs that explains life cycles, habitats, and unique adaptations, perfect for curious 7‑year‑olds.
- Mantis: The Amazing Praying Mantis by Jill R. McClure: A focused look at praying mantises, detailing their hunting tactics, camouflage, and role in the ecosystem, written for early readers.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1 – Ask and answer questions about key details in a text (e.g., field guide about mantises).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a scientific text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7 – Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.5 – Create presentations that include visual displays (e.g., poster, drawing) to support findings.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Insect Observation Chart – record size, color, number of legs, and behavior for the mantis and other insects found.
- Drawing Task: Sketch the mantis from different angles, label body parts (head, thorax, abdomen, fore‑legs).
- Mini‑Experiment: Create a simple camouflage test by placing the mantis on green paper vs. brown paper and note which background it hides best.
- Writing Prompt: “If I were a praying mantis for a day…” – write a short paragraph describing what you would see and do.