Ladybirds & Ladybugs

[Ruthierhyme]

We've just added some new printable posters or activity sheets to Hope Hedgehogs 'Organic Aphid Control' article.

You can use them as posters in your display area or if laminated you can use them as a base to Playdough Modelmaking !
A good substitute for black playdough (which can stain hands) is for the children to use Card circles for the ladybird spots ~ they can add as many/few as they want, count & number them ~ use chalk to write on them if you don't have clear white pencils.

LadyBird or LadyBug Photographs to help show the children one of natures aphid control methods !!
's to Miss Muffett for her photo skills ~ Thankyou {{}}
Photographic Images ©TraceyMallaby2007


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LADYBIRDS Activity Sheet LADYBUGS Activity Sheet

(the pdfs are HUGE 375 kb each !! .. right click & save target as' if you have a slower internet connection)
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ELGS ~ Early Learning Areas
Click Titles for summaries of ELGS ~ Ealry Learning Goals

PSED
Personal Social & Emotional Development
Throughout this theme you can encourage - Working together, cooperation, sharing, compromise, understanding & patience.

CLL
Communication, language and Literacy
Ladybird Moves Home ~ By Richard Fowler
We loved this interactive book (my Dd read it all the time ~ 10 odd years ago !!)

The ladybird can be removed from the front pocket of the book and moved separatly through a slit on each page ~ perfect for the child to take part in the book & follow the story whilst you read .. very sweet

There is a 'sister book available ~ Honeybee's Busy day which I would also recommend .

More Minibeast book titles from our review area - links, where indicated are in association with our Amazon affiliate account

MD ~ PSRN
Math matical Development - Problem Solving, Reasoning & Numeracy
Spot counting & numbering.
Look at large and smaller circles and order them ~ Biggest first and tiniest last.
Ladybird Bingo & lotto type games

KNUW
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Excellent Fact sheet from Organic gardening.org

PD
Physical Development
Flying ladybird capes !!
Fly around the room landing on plants & finding flowers !!
OR
Play 'Follow the Ladybird' and weave all around the room or ideally outdoors !

• Cut large circles of Red fabric (table cloths are a good source!!)
• Cut the top straight & glue/sew on a length of 1" wide ribbon across the top.
• Sew a small piece of Velco (hook & Loop ) to opposite ends.
• Use these to secure the cape on the children ~ this will also save possible knotting of the ribbon !!
• Use a permanent marker or felt circles (these won't wash well though !!) to create the Ladybird markings.

CD
Creative Development

Role Play
Where Ladybirds live ~ small world role play

• Lay a green cloth over a small table surface.
• Add small stones, leaves, pieces of tree bark and small branches.
• Make clay ladybirds before hand if you haven't got plastic models ~ paint red & varnish if necessary.
• Play hide & seek with the children as they gently turn over items to see where you've hidden the ladybirds ~ remember to put the items back slowly so as not to squash them !!

Cookery
Red Apple & Currant = Ladybirds

• Cut a shiny Red Apple in half & stand in on a green leaf plate !
• Cut out small holes into the apple using a modelling tool or stiff large straw, push a currant into each hole to create the spots !
• Make eyes from rolled out white & black icing.

Music
Five Red Ladybirds or Ladybugs
(Sung to tradition Currant bun tune)

• Use your role play ladybird models to enjoy this rhyme the most .
• You will also need a magnifying glass.
• Lay five ladybird models on the floor in front of you & with the role play area close by !!
• Sing the song with the children and as it finishes let the child collect a ladybird & put it carefully back in it's role play 'environment !!

Five Red Ladybirds sitting on the ground
Eating their greens and NOT looking around !!

Along came xx with a magnifying glass
Crept up slowly and spied ladybirds in the grass!

Copyright©RuthGrimes2007

At this point, let the child pick a ladybird up and put it back in its home
Repeat the rhyme with a different child coming up with the magnifying glass !

Arts & Crafts
Textured LadyBugs
Use paper plates to explore red paint & patterning techniques ~ add sand, glitter or sawdust to the paint and see how how it spreads around.
Stick some black paper spots on & turn the textured plates into Ladybirds !

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Have fun & let us know what Ladybird or Ladybug activities you've done ...