Light! How do you explain it? We have our sun that give us light. We have light bulbs in our house that give us light. We also have an insect that lights up our sky at night! What is it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BOjTMkyfIA
Science
Fireflies are also called lightening bugs! They are definitely lighting our summer evenings in Maryland. In the past, my children would collect them and put these bright insects in a jar to look at them. At the end of the evening, my children would release fireflies together. This song is fun to sing with your child.
Fireflies or Lightening Bugs Song (Tune of “Jingle Bells”)
Fireflies, lightening bugs, which name will you use?
You can use the one you like. It is up to you to choose.
Fireflies, lightening bugs, they are both the same.
It is really strange that an insect so small would end up with 2 names!
Your child might be able to see fireflies on a warm evening around 8:30-9:00 pm. If your child has a nature journal, have him/her make a drawing that you can label and date.
Fireflies are mainly seen at night. What other insects come Mainly out at night? Discuss the behavior of other insects coming out at night: fireflies, centipedes, mosquitoes, beetles, crickets and moths.
Language Arts
One more colorful book by Eric Carle is
The Very Lonely Firefly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XrPyF4Mpl4
After viewing the book, review with your child the story elements by using these cut-out pictures below. I call the method Story in a Paper Bag (Have your child put all cut-out pictures in a paper bag.) https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/literature-cards-retelling-a-storybremthe-very-lonely-fireflyembr/tell-the-story
Fireflies Are Out Tonight Song (Tune of “The Muffin Man”)
Do you see a flash of light, a flash of light, a flash of light?
Do you see a flash of light? And fireflies out tonight?
Yes, I see a flash of light, a flash of light, a flash of light.
Yes, I see a flash of light and fireflies out tonight!
Fascinating Fireflies Song (Tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars”)
Watch the fireflies out at night!
See them glowing. Oh, what a sight!
2 antennae and six legs,
They are insects and lay eggs.
Watch the fireflies out at night!
See them glowing. Oh, what a sight!
Uppercase Letter F Activity https://twistynoodle.com/uppercase-letter-f-6-coloring-page/ (Remember to start at the top, go down and then jump back up for the horizontal lines)
Math
May is a new month and your child needs a new calendar. Print this calendar set https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/may-calendar-setbr4-pages/may-calendar-set and have your child choose a pattern to follow for the new month.
Math Counting Game with (1) a jar, (2) a dye or 2 dice, and (3) the Firefly Cards Print https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/firefly-cardsbr-3-color-pages/firefly-cards. Help your child cut the fireflies and put them in the jar. Have your child roll the dye/dice and take out the paper fireflies out of the jar. Play until there are no more firefly cards in the jar.
Art
- For this art project, you need (1) black and yellow construction paper, (2) aluminium foil squares, (3) scissors, (4) white crayon/chalk, And (5) glue. Help your child glue a cut-out of the moon out of yellow construction paper on the black construction paper. Then help him/her crumple the aluminum foil squares into balls and glues them to the black construction paper to make the bodies of the fireflies. When the glue is dry, help your child use the white crayon/chalk to draw wings on each firefly.
2. For this second art project, you need (1) wax paper, (2) green and yellow tissue paper, (3) scissors, (4) glue, and black construction paper.
After tracing body parts (above), help your child (1) cut the head and wing pieces out of black construction Paper, (2) cut a piece of wax paper that looks like a rain drop, and (3) cut tissue paper in little squares. Then, (1) glue the wax piece on the head piece, (2) glue the color squares on the wax paper, and finally (3) glue the wings open on the firefly body.
Other crafts:
Firefly Craft https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/firefly-craft/fireflies-5
Fingerprint Fireflies Craft https://www.themailbox.com/magazines/firefly-craft/fingerprint-fireflies
Small Motor Skills
Firefly Coloring Page http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/fireflies
Firefly count and Clip Cards https://fromabcstoacts.com/download/14079/
Letter F Activity Book https://twistynoodle.com/letter-f-activity-book-minibook/
Gross Motor Skills
Set up a Find a Firefly Course for your child In your home (same materials as in math section.) Hide about 10 paper fireflies in various rooms in your house. Give your child a jar and ask your child to find all the fireflies. As an extra challenge, You can time your child. Have fun!