With Spring time finally here and warmer weather approaching its the perfect time to introduce some Spring time books to your kindergartener. This week, we have some suggestions for books about all things creepy and crawly, with our bug themed read aloud for kindergarteners. There are great picture books, nonfiction options and some sweet stories about how bugs are most definitely not gross!
Great fiction choices
Bob and Otto by Robert O. Bruel is a sweet story about two good friends who have responsibilities that force them to part ways. An earth worm who has to dig into the ground, and a caterpillar who needs to build his chrysalis. The story explains why each friend has an important thing to accomplish. We like it because it gives an avenue to talk to kids about how everyone plays a part in the world.
Along the same lines, we like the story Bee and Me, by Elle J. McGuinness. This story is about a little boy who meets a bee. When we read it, we learn how even very small creatures can have an impact on the world around them.
The Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin is a very funny book your kindergartner will love it. The theme is that spiders aren’t icky, but instead they have fears too! When we are working on teaching our little ones that everyone has fears, and ways to overcome their insecurities, this is a great read aloud tool! And, although not really about bugs per se, we like to pair Beetle McGrady Eats Bugs! by Megan McDonald with Diary of a Spider because it is also about overcoming fears. Beetle NcGrady wants to be fearless, and sets out to prove she can be by eating an ant. She’s not successful right away, and it gives us a great opportunity to talk to our youngsters about overcoming disappointments too.
Non-fiction winners
A great non-fiction choice, especially if you are raising caterpillars at home, or in your classroom is From Caterpillar to Butterfly, by Deborah Heiligman. This book is from the Let’s Read and Find Out Science series. It is narrated by children in a classroom who tell the story of their caterpillar changing into a butterfly. Some more of our favorites about bugs are from the Backyard Book series. They speak right to you as you read it by asking your questions and providing the answers. Are You a Butterfly? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries is a great companion to From Caterpillar to Butterfly. It will ask young readers questions like “Are you a butterfly? If you are…”. You can also find other books in the backyard series to go with your bug themed spring like Are you a Dragonfly? and Are you a Grasshopper?
If you’re looking for an informative book that is not about butterflies, ladybugs are instant favorites for this age group. Ladybugs, by Gail Gibbons has lots of facts packed into her book about the ladybug life cycle.
Extend learning with activities
There are lots of Montessori friendly activities that will go along well with your bug themed read alongs to continue the learning at home.
A few favorite ideas are:
Use plastic bugs in your hands-on bin activities. They can be used for counting, sorting and math activities. Try giving your students a stack of picture cards with various bug species on them, and allowing them to choose the plastic bug model which matches the card.
Insect sensory bins can be fun, and delicious too! Using the same plastic bugs you can create a sensory bin using Oreo cookie crumbs for dirt. Children can dig in the dirt to locate and identify their bugs!
Happy reading and happy Spring!
