Overview of Creepy Crawly Creatures Sensory-Motor Group By: Jennifer Hight, OTS 1. Read first half of story about bugs entitled, Creepy Crawly Bugs written by Rozanne Lanczak Williams and illustrated by Jennifer Beck Harris. 2. Bug Stations The children will be divided into four groups denoted by a nametag classifying the groups by various bugs. These groups will rotate to various stations and spend approximately 2-3 minutes at each station. A. Crawl like a Caterpillar through a tunnel. B. Jump like a grasshopper from blade of grass to blade of grass. C. Walk on a log like a walking stick. D. Help Bee get Pollen Game The students will throw a small ball at the center of a flower to help the bee get its pollen. 3. Table Top Activity Create A Bug The students will use various forms of textured media to design and create their own unique bug. 4. Table Top Activity Maze The students will return to their desks to complete a maze helping the ant get out of the ground. 5. Finish story: Creepy Crawly Bugs 6. Thank children for participation and give each participant a bug sticker. Activity Auditory Processing Body Awareness Bilateral Coordination Fine Motor Ocular Control of Movement Visual Spatial Motor Planning Tactile Creepy X Crawly Bugs Caterpillar Crawl Grasshopper Jump Walking X Stick Walk Help Bee Get Pollen Game Create a Bug Maze X X X X
Creepy Crawly Creatures Sensory-Motor Group Detailed Summary By: Jennifer Hight, OTS 1. The students will listen as the group leader reads the first half of the book, Creepy Crawly Bugs, written by Rozanne Lanczak Williams and illustrated by Jennifer Beck Harris, during circle time. (2-3 minutes) 2. The group leader will then divide the students into equal groups of bugs denoted by pictures of the bugs taped on their shirts. (1 minute) Examples: * Butterfly Group * Ladybug Group * Caterpillar Group * Bee Group * Dragonfly Group * Spider Group 3. Each student bug group will be assigned an adult team leader, with a matching bug, to guide the students to the four bug stations set-up in the classroom. The stations are: A. Crawl like a Caterpillar through a tunnel. B. Jump like a grasshopper from blade of grass (hula hoop) to blade of grass (hula hoop for a total of four). C. Walk on a log (2 X 4) like a walking stick. D. Help Bee get Pollen Game The students will throw a small ball at a flower to help the bee get its pollen. Variations to the game may include using the right or left hand while throwing overhand or underhand. Each bug group will spend 2-3 minutes at each station. The time-keeper will ring a bell to let the adult team leaders and student bug groups know it is time to switch stations. Rotations will be complete when all bug groups have participated in each bug station. At the conclusion of all stations each group leader will instruct their respective bug groups to pretend to be ladybugs by lying on their backs with feet and arms in the air. Then, the students will curl into a ball (fetal position) on their side to become a caterpillar in a cocoon. 4. Upon participation in all stations the children will be directed to their seats to engage in creating a butterfly. This activity requires the students to use various forms of textured media to design and create their own unique bug. An exemplary model will be prepared for each table prior to the activity. (5-7 minutes)
Materials: Toilet Paper Tubes Construction Paper Scissors Stapler Chenille Craft Stems 6 (for antennas and/or legs) Tissue Paper Foamies Felt Washable School Glue Q-Tips Styrofoam Bowls Wiggle Eyes Craft Pom-Poms Wing Pattern (See Attached) Tape Instructions: 1. Each child will receive a toilet paper ring with butterfly wings pre-cut on construction paper and attached with a stapler. The head will be cut out in a circular or heart shape of felt and attached with a stapler prior to distribution as well. 2. The students will have various media placed at their respective tables including: craft pom-poms, small pieces of felt (precut), small Foamie shapes (pre-cut), pre-cut tissue squares, wiggle eyes, and Chenille craft stems 6. 3. Bowls filled with washable school glue will be placed at the tables with Q-tips for the students to use to attach the media of their choice to decorate the butterfly. 4. The students will add two wiggle eyes to the head of the butterfly with glue. 5. The students will have the option of adding pair of antenna or legs to the butterfly using the Chenille craft stems 6. 6.The students will complete a maze to help the ant find its way out of the ground at their desks. The students will trace the path with their finger to find the correct route. Then, they will use their pencil to complete the maze. (2-3 minutes) 7. The students will listen as the group leader completes the bug book. (2-3 minutes) 8. The group leader will distribute bug stickers to the students and thank them for their participation. (1 minute)
References Chichester, L., (2000). Butterfly napkin ring. The giant encyclopedia of art & craft activities for children 3 to 6 (K. Charner). Beltsville, Maryland: Gryphon House. Gothelf, S., (2007). Feely Bugs. In B. Andrews, K. Bruck, D. Badden, T. McLaurin, S. Murphy, K. Brudnak, J. Blair, S. Hamblet, H. Rodgers, & D. McKinney, Bugs (p. 30). Greensboro, North Carolina: The Education Center. Gregorich, B., (1996). Help the ant get out of the ground. Mazes (J. Hoffman). School Zone Publishing Company. Williams, R., (2005). Creepy, Crawly Bugs. Huntington Beach, California: Creative Teaching Press.