This is the first of a series of four paired text center posts featuring bugs. Each center includes read alone or read aloud picture books, listening center resources, build a bug shape art center, music and movement, and related theme links.

Read Alone/Aloud Texts:
Read alone for young children could mean looking at and talking about the pictures. The book listed below is the non-fiction text. Placing multiple copies of this book in the classroom library allows students to preview the theme. The teacher can read the book in several settings and discuss non-fiction text features at each reading.

Scholastic First Discovery Ladybugs and Other Insects.

Students can write a paragraph or page using facts about ladybugs. They can write and perform a research rap, see blog archives for directions.

Listening Center Fiction Text:
The Very Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
If you have projection equipment or iPads, students can watch and listen to the story using YouTube or you can use traditional listening center equipment. Using the technology helps to make this a more independent center for young children.

Build-a-Bug Center: Circle Ladybug
Materials Needed:
Red construction paper
Black construction paper
Bingo dot markers or Avery stick on dots
Black pipe cleaners (optional)
Scissors
Pencils
Glue sticks
Round lids ( small, medium, and large)

Directions:
Trace and Cut:
1 large black circle (body)
1 large red circle (fold in half, cut on fold for wings)
1 medium black circle (head)
8 small circles folded in thirds-both ends to meet in the middle ( 2 antennas and 6 legs)
(You can substitute black pipe cleaners.)

Assemble:
Glue the medium black circle to the top of large black circle to make the head and body. Attach the red wings with the straight edges opening to the middle, to the top of the black circle under the head. Stick three dots on each wing or make three dots on each wing with the bingo markers. Fold and glue six small dots, three on each side to make the legs. Fold and glue two more small dots to the top of the head to make antennas. Students can label each of the body parts.

Music and Movement:
Locate a version of “Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home”. It can be a chart or animated video from a nursery rhyme site. Using the circle ladybugs, the students can sing and move to the rhyme. Let the children view the rhyme first and plan how they will enact the nursery rhyme.

Theme Related Links:
Other topics for this center could include circles, and time to the hour.