Bug Buddies Studies

This Christian-based set of studies introduces children to variety of amazing insects. Each lesson emphasizes a Biblical concept relating it to a specific insect, and encourages children to dig deeper and learn more about insects. They are child-directed, designed to get them questioning and digging for the answers, and encourages them to use their creativity. These studies do not throw out a lot of facts which your child is expected to memorize. Children learn through investigation, hands-on activities, games, repetition, and creating. Children can create file folder books for each study to help them remember and categorize what they have learned, and store their games and crafts. This is a great way for children to learn and remember what they have studied. Children will enjoy looking back at what they have learned and created and and sharing it with others. (Learn more about lapbooking.)

The name of this series, "Bug Buddies", was chosen because the Bible tells us that all the things God created are good. Although creation has changed since the "fall" and disease and death have been introduced, we can still find good in all God's creation, even in mosquitoes and poisonous spiders.

Each study consists of these main areas:

1. A Bug Buddy Study - A short Lesson about an insect and how it can be related to a biblical concept including:

1. Biblical Truth Activities

2. Bible Verse Activities - games, manipulative, etc.

3. New Words Activities - Children make mini shape books and games to help them review new words.

2. Hands-on Learning:

Crafts relating to the lesson including: coloring sheets, 3D and paper models of the bug, habitat, etc.

3. Digging In:

1. Experiments relating to the insect.

2. Worksheets and forms.

3. Suggested books to read with related activities.

4. Suggested web sites to check out.

 

Studies Included in this Series:

Study 1 - Introduction to Bugs

What is an insect? Classification, How to find Bugs, Bug Sheet, etc.

Study 2 - Goliath Beetle

The Best Kind of Armor - God gave insects armor to protect them from their enemies. He has also given us armor to protect us from our enemies.

Study 3 - Water Strider

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus - Jesus is the Son of God. When we keep our eyes on Jesus instead of focusing on our problems, he will give us the strength we need to face our fears.

Study 4 - Golden Tortoise Beetle

Changing Colors - Golden Tortoise Beetles change their colors when they are disturbed or stressed. People can also change their colors, or act differently in different circumstances. Jesus wants us to always act like Christians and stand up for what is right no matter what the circumstances.

Study 5 - Honey Bees - Created for a Purpose

Biblical: God created bees for a special purpose. They each have an important job. God loves you and knows you, and created you to do good works.

Scientific: Bees are very important to us. They help pollinate the flowers of plantsthat produce much of the food we eat.

Study 6 - Ants - Consider the Ants

Biblical: We can learn from the ants and become wise. The ants do their work even when they don't have someone telling them what to do.

Scientific: Every ant in the colony has an important job to do. They work together for the good of the colony.

 

Study 7- Walking Stick Bug

Standout for Jesus! - God created stick bugs to look like twigs and branches so they would be hard to see. Jesus doesn't want us to be like stick bugs. He wants us to be an example to others. We should not be conformed to this world, but stand out so that others will see Jesus shining through our lives.

Study 8 - Inchworm

God's Love is Immeasurable - We can't measure God's love or ever really understand how much he loves us. It is higher than the heavens, everlasting, never fails, and is priceless. Only his love is perfect.

Study 9 - Ladybug

Real Friends - Ladybugs are helpful insects. People like to see them around because they know that they can help save their plants from being destroyed by aphids. Jesus also helped many people. He was sent to save the world. We should follow Jesus' and the ladybug's example. We should be ladybug friends.

Study 10 - Mosquitoes

What Kind of Friend Are You? - True friends are helpful not harmful.

Study 11 - Dung Beetle

Work for the Lord - Every bug God created has a purpose, and an important part to play in this world. And every person in this world has a purpose and is important. Every job is important in one way or another; and God wants us to do our job to the best of our abilities even if we don't like doing it.

Study 12 - Feelers

Biblical: Children learn how to have empathy - sharing the feelings of others. Based on Romans 12:15.

Scientific: Children are introduced to different kinds of antennae and learn what bugs use them for.