Kindergarten • Week of May 11 • Optional Enrichment Activities

Please email me any of the activities that you complete. I would LOVE to see all your hard work!

Now that the weather is getting warmer, let's explore what's happening with our insect friends!

Using the Critter Cam, choose a critter (or two) and watch them on the live feed for a few minutes.
Describe what you SEE, then THINK, then WONDER about the critter(s).
Look at the habitat (home or shelter) of the critter.
- What does it look like?
- What is it made of?
- What type of shelter does it have?
- How does the critter’s shelter help it to survive?

With an adult family member's permission, head outside to complete the Bugs Scavenger Hunt.

Check the box for each insect that you observe outside. You can add the names of any other insects you see that are not on the Bugs Scavenger Hunt.
Make observations about what the insect looks like.
How big are they? What colors do you see? Does the insect have wings?
Discuss what kind of habitat (home or shelter) in which you think the insect might live.
Discuss how the home of the insect might help it to survive.

An architect is someone who designs buildings. Let's look at the tools that an architect may use in the Tools of the Trade slideshow.

With someone in your family, talk about the following questions:
- What are some of the problems that were in the story? What challenges did Roberto face?
- How are the problems solved in the story?

Think about the insects that you saw on the webcam or the Bug Scavenger Hunt. How could you create a unique home for one of these bugs?
To help us think about the home for one of these insects, let's go back and look at how the author of Roberto the Insect Architect did this. For example, the roach house was made from kitchen materials. The carpenter ant made his home from carpenter materials, and the ladybug's home is fireproof.
Now let's think more about the bug you picked. What might the bug need or want in a home?

Let's take a look back in the Roberto the Insect Architect video to learn how the author created the collages in the book. A collage is a piece of art made with paper, photos, or small objects. The collages start at 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

With a family member, discuss the following questions:
- How did the author create these collages?
- What makes these collages so original?
- How do the collages help meet the needs of the specific bugs? (For example, the roach has a house made of salad utensils instead of living in salads.)
Create a collage for a bug house using materials from around the house (magazines, different types of paper, art supplies, etc.).

Now that you’ve thought about the ideal houses for different types of insects, it’s your time to think about the ideal house for YOU! What would it look like? What size would it be? What would it include? Where would it be located? What would it be made of?
Play the video for the book If I Built a House.

Architects use different shapes when they create their buildings. Look at the slideshow of buildings right here in Howard County.

- What shapes do you see? Circles? Rectangles? Squares? Semi-circles? Triangles?
- Have you seen any of these buildings before?

Think more about what your perfect house would look like.
- Option 1: Use the Build a House online builder to help you plan your house.
- Option 2: Draw a picture of your perfect house. What shapes would you include?

Want to learn more about how a house is built? Play the video of the book How a House Is Built.

Now, it's time to build your dream home.

Talk with someone in your family about what items around your home you might be able to use to create a model of your perfect home.
- Do you have an extra cardboard box in your home? Can you make a model of your dream house with your box?
- What other household items do you have that you could use? (For example, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, cans, Legos, shoeboxes)
Create a model of your dream home using these items
As you build your model, explain to someone in your family why you have decided to add certain things to your house or design them in a certain way.
Share your model with your family or your friends.

After building your home, discuss the following questions with someone in your family.

Would you change anything about your model of your home if you could? What changes might you make?
How would your house be different if you made it for someone else in your family - a sibling or another relative? How about your best friend?
What attributes (characteristics) do all homes have, including homes of both insects and people?

Do you have questions about this task? Send me, Ms. Rager, a message using the Canvas Inbox. I would be happy to help!

We hope that your student is finding these optional enrichment activities engaging and educational. We would love to hear your feedback.