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Daily Classroom Special: Doodle Bugs

About this Daily Classroom Special: 
Science to Go
provides easy yet meaningful science activities for grades k-8. Science to Go was written by Barbara Smith, Magnet Coordinator at Harvard Elementary, Houston (TX) and former Teachers Network web mentor.

Doodlebugs

Objectives

Explore patterns, interactions between living things and their environment.

Activity

Collect doodlebugs (AKA: pillbugs, sowbugs, armadillidium vulgare) from warm, moist places and bring to your class with some leaf litter for a temporary habitat.

Discuss proper handling of life forms before allowing students to begin. Construct 3 different test trays: one with wet and dry paper towels, one with ice under one end and a heating pad under the other end, one with a lamp or flashlight pointed at an end. Place pillbugs in the middle of the trays, observe behavior, record results, and make conclusions about preferences for moisture, temperature, and light. Return pillbugs to their original habitat. (Safety tip: feathers and paintbrush bristles are good for moving the pillbugs without harming them.)

Materials

Pillbugs, 3 wallpaper trays or long Styrofoam meat trays, paper towels, water, ice, heating pad, lamp or flashlight

Interested in other creepy crawlies? Make sure to check out Critter's Corner, an entire Daily Classroom Special devoted to the things that make you go eeeek!

Website Picks for Science

International Food Information Council - Information and educational programs on food safety, health, nutrition. Has a section for teachers on curriculum and activities.

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