Preschool Grasshopper Activities and Lesson Plan

People who have spent time outdoors in the summer are aware of the beautiful music made by grasshoppers. While attending a cookout or relaxing outside during the dusky part of the day, you most likely have heard a grasshopper or two. They are the creators of nature’s outdoor ambiance for everyone to enjoy.

The summer grasshopper usually dies after living only a couple of months. Their lifespan is short, but there are tasks that they must complete before they die such as eat, mate, and lay their eggs. Not all species of grasshoppers outlive the winter, but those not fully developed before the winter months will hibernate for the winter. They can last until the animal kingdom awakes to the spring season of that year.

Your children will find it simply delightful learning about the habits of these small creatures. Explore the grasshopper’s body and other facts to bring science to your classroom in a fun way.

Are You a Grasshopper?

The book titled <em>Are You a Grasshopper?</em> by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries has colorful and rich artwork that is easy to understand while you read to the children. The book will peak their interest in the insect world. The language in this book is so easy that any young preschooler could comprehend it.

One fan who fell in love with the book had this to say in a review she posted on Amazon:

“The information is written in such a respectful, child-friendly form that the children ask for the books to be reread. It is in a narrative form but filled with information The illustrations are exquisite! I have three of the series and my Kindergarten children are asking for the others!”

This book is good for educating your classroom in a way that keeps them engaged. You can teach them all about the life cycle of this beautiful creature, the grasshopper. This book is a great way to help those who have a fear of bugs conquer their fears and realize how much fun they can have with grasshoppers.

Activities and Assessment

• Book Discussion - After you have read the book, have the children answer questions about the story. Ask the children if they have ever seen a grasshopper. Ask the children where grasshoppers live. You can ask them where the grasshopper’s antennas or other body parts are.
• Antennae Head Band with Eyes - Materials: Glue, scissors, tape or stapler, colorful pompoms, construction paper, pipe cleaners, glue, and markers. Instructions: Cut a one inch band that will fit around the child’s head and staple it together. You may have to use more than one piece to make sure that you have enough to complete the band. Cover the staple prongs with tape so that they don’t stick into the child’s head. Wrap the pipe cleaner around the pencil to give it a curl. Allow the child to pick out the color for the pipe cleaner and their pompoms. Glue the pompoms to the curled pipe cleaners. Staple the pipe cleaners to the headband and cover the staples with tape. Help the children to draw and cut out the eyes, and then glue the eyes to the headband.
• Grasshopper Printout - Have the children color a printout of the grasshopper. Then cut it out, and glue it to a popsicle stick.
• Grasshopper Clothespin - Materials: You will need to collect scissors, clothespin, glue, small craft eyes, green pipe cleaners, and green paint. Instructions: Help the children paint their clothespins green, and let then them dry. While the clothespins are drying, you and the children can cut the pipe cleaners. You should cut the pipe cleaners in order to make two legs and antennae. Glue the parts onto the clothespin. Once the clothespins are dry, glue on the pipe cleaners legs and antennae. Glue the craft eyes on his body.

Oral Assessment: To ensure that the children have comprehended all that you have gone over that day, you can test them on what they have learned. Ask the children to tell you what color their clothespin grasshoppers are. Ask the children if grasshoppers can jump and allow the children to show you how grasshoppers do jump. Ask the children to show you where the grasshopper’s eyes, antennae, and legs are.

In conclusion, this lesson plan on grasshoppers can be a fun way to learn about nature and science. The children may ask that you read the book Are You a Grasshopper? repeatedly, proving that learning about bugs can be fun as well as educational.