Have you ever wondered how to teach science...hands-on only? Textbook only? A mix?

I solved that "dilema" this year by doing both! My high schooler wanted a textbook curriculum (Yes, he requested it!). So, he is thoroughly enjoying Apologia biology.

Ah! But, my first grader yearns (as do I) for hands-on science, history, Bible...well, any topic, just give her a fun project and she's completely engaged and soaking up knowledge.

We have been alternating between our electricity and alternative energy unit and our spider unit. Below are two spider projects we worked on this past week.

This is her  (anatomically correct!) spider wandering around for a place to spin a web.

Oh, and there!  He has found his spot and spun his "web".



Make a Web

InsectLore explains various types of webs
 

After discussing different types of webs, we headed outside with the digital camera and hunted webs.  We found them in bushes, across the branches of a potted rose bush, along the edge of sliding doors, between hand rails, in abandoned bird houses and on bird feeder poles.

Materials:

 Styrofoam or paper plate
Yarn, string or thread
Spider cut outs from clip art or hand drawn by your child

Depending on the age of your child, have someone make small notches around the entire edge of the plate.

Next, string the yarn across the plate, securing in the notches and creating a web pattern across the front of the plate.

Use the yarn to make a hanger.

Color, cut and glue the spiders to the web.

3-D Spider

Check out this link for information on spider anatomy.
This site offers a nice cross section diagram (about 2/3's down the page)
Looking for some real detail?!

Mateirals:

Styrofoam ball with 1/3 cut off to make the body flat underneath (Mostly to help it sit on a flat table.) or you can use an egg shaped piece of Styrofoam.
Small Styrofoam ball to use as the head.
Chenille sticks cut to various lengths for the 8 legs, jaws and pedipelps
Button or sequence for the spinnert
Glitter or craft sand (optional)
wiggly eyes - 6 to 12 (Some spiders have 12 eyes!)
piece of floral wire
small labels for body parts - Since my daughter is too young to write REALLY small, I typed the labels on the computer and she cut them out.
tape
glue or hot glue

If you want the spider to sit flat, trim off part of the ball. Otherwise, leave as is.
Cover the larger Styrofoam ball with glue and roll in glitter or craft sand. We used 2 colors and mixed them together before rolling.

Tip: I save plastic trays from ground beef (about 1 1/2 - 2" deep) for glitter and sand projects. We put the sand in the bottom of the tray and roll the ball around, keeping any mess contained in the tray. Then, we can just clean the tray and reuse.

Hot glue the head (smaller Styrofoam ball) to the body and allow to set for a few minutes.
Glue on the eyes (There are six on this one, they just aren't all visible.)

Cut the chenille sticks to length for the 8 legs, 2 pedipelps and chelicerae (jaws). Insert into the Styrofoam.

Glue the spinneret onto the backside of the body. (Most spiders have 6. We used a small button that had 4 holes, so we improvised. Plus, ours ended up under the spider!)

Let this dry overnight.

Create labels for the following body parts: cepholathorax, eyes, chelicerae (jaws), pedipelps, legs, abdomen, pedicel.

The next day, cut the floral wire into small sections 1"-2". Tape a label to each and insert into the Styrofoam in the correct location.

Do you have a young scientist who loves discovering cool facts?  Have them research the interesting characteristics of each of the following spiders:  water spider, jumping spiders (You'll be astonished at how far they can jump!), funnel weaver spider, birdeating spider, trapdoor spider, and the spitting spider.

Thanks for visiting this week!

Michelle


Michelle and her husband have been homeschooling for 10 years.  They are the owners of Treasure Box Press.  Michelle holds a Master's degree in Child Development and Family Studies. She serves as the Judge Advisor for the North Carolina FIRST (www.usfirst.org) Lego League and a judge for the www.FIRST.org World Festival.  She is the author of numerous Sam's Science Adventures, including "RIC: Robots in the Classroom", all available through www.TreasureBoxPress.com.  She spent 15 years in the biotechnology industry before turning her heart toward home.

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