Beetles and Creativity

I can't believe the month of February is already here. January sometimes feels like the "newborn month" to me... It goes by so slow, and yet so fast! Last month seemed to drag on and on, and yet, now that February has rolled around, in the words of my dear sweet Hope, "That's not so bad!"

We finished the last part of our safari unit through Mother Goose Time this week! Another great week in homeschooling. I can truly see my children growing and learning more everyday, and it has been SO MUCH FUN! I think that is one of my favorite parts about being home with my kids... Being able to see their growth on a daily basis.

One day this week had a lesson on beetles, and it included a lot of creative and artistic work. The art projects were open ended and allowed for Jonathan and Hope to use their imaginations. Artistic "creativity" is something my children struggle with... They like to follow a recipe or the instructions, just like their mama! These activities were stretching for all of us, and SO good for them! At first, I heard the words, "I can't do it!" or "I don't know how," but after a while, they really sunk into the creating and LOVED it. They were SO PROUD of their creations, they could not wait to show their dad when he got home.

Jonathan's beetle

Hope's beetle

Our first activity had the children making their own beetles with various supplies given to them. They had SO much fun! They were given a photo of different beetles and I asked them provoking questions, but the rest was all on their own! It was fun to watch them create.

I usually try to include some sort of writing practice in our day, so Jonathan practiced his name. He's getting better and better! He has such a long name, but he is getting used to it.

These were the books MGT recommended for this lesson. The kids LOVED "The Very Clumsy Click Beetle," but of course anything by Eric Carle is good! I also pulled up a couple youtube videos so the kids could see a real click beetle in action. 

Included in this lesson, was a "Would you rather" game. I found this was so good for the kids to realize the meaning of the word "or." Jonathan understood the concept of the game right away, but Hope definitely took some time. 

Some of our favorite games that MGT sends are the matching games! Jonathan and Hope are getting so good at these games! They can remember so much. This matching game was done with "insect" shapes.

Hope's beetle

Jonathan's beetle

I couldn't help but join in. My beetle :)

This was our favorite part! MGT includes these little "steam stations" for discovery and learning every week. This day it was making beetles out of play dough. I gave them various supplies and they got really creative. While we were creating we discussed the number of legs on a beetle, the eyes, the antennae, and the head/body of a beetle. The kids were so imaginative and loved playing with their little beetles after they were finished.

Our last activity usually has the kids dancing it out. We hopped to different shapes around our living room and danced like click beetles as well. 

We are so blessed to be able to homeschool this year. To be blogging our journey and memories is a true blessing as well. Thank you MGT, for providing our curriculum in exchange for blogging our experience. What a blessing!