USING RUBBER "BUGS"

AS TEACHING TOOLS

by Gary A. Dunn, M.S., F.R.E.S. Director of Education

Introduction. Rubber "bugs" (that is, rubber and plastic replicas of insects, spiders and other arthropods) can be used for educational purposes in many creative ways and are readily available from toy or novelty stores, or from the Young Entomologists' Society (see the Plastic and Plush Critter Palace in the Minibeast Merchandise Mall). Obviously, as inanimate objects rubber "bugs" are ideal for use as substitute experimental animals: they are virtually indestructible, are always cooperative, never need food or water, and don't bite, sting, or smell!

Here are some ways that I have thought of for using rubber "bugs" in your classroom. You can probably think of even more ways to use these versatile educational tools.

SCIENCE LESSONS

Insect Anatomy. You can use rubber bugs to illustrate many of the important insect body structures like head, thorax, abdomen, antennae, compound eyes, mouthparts, wings, legs, etc. Later on you can ask students to "name the parts". You may want to point out variations (adaptations) of some body parts and how these help insects (legs for running vs. legs for jumping, or wings for flying vs. wings for protection). How are spiders and other arthropods different from insects?

Sorting, Classification, and Identification. Observe how similarities and differences in overall shape and body appendages (mouthparts, legs and wings) allow us to sort and classify insects into groups of similar types. Learn how to make and use dichotomous identification keys. Many rubber "bugs" are anatomically correct, so you can identify your rubber specimens (are they a grasshopper, beetle, fly, spider, or other arthropod) or create your own dichotomous keys. For an added challenge, project the outlines of the rubber "bugs" using an overhead projector and see if your group can identify them by shape alone.

Insect Behavior. The color and shape of many insects makes it easy to conceal themselves from their enemies or prey (camouflage). What evidence of this behavior do you see in your rubber "bugs". Have an indoor or outdoor "bug" hunt. Place the rubber "bugs" in a simulated area of habitat (classroom or school yard) and see which insects are most easily found.

Insect Habitats. Set up four representative "habitats" (green carpeting = grassland, sand = desert, potted plants = forest, and blue paper/foil = water). See if the students can assign the rubber "bugs" to the proper habitat using clues like body part adaptations, food preferences, and/or other prior knowledge. You can also construct representative food webs (food chains/food pyramids) using rubber arthropods and other animals.

Insect Fossil Replicas. You can easily demonstrate how animal remains become fossils by pressing a rubber "bug" into wet plaster of paris or modeling clay (held in place within a shallow pan). This results in a reverse (negative) impression of the fossilized animal. If you coat this reverse impression with salad oil or petroleum jelly, you can then cast a positive impression that looks just like the original critter that was fossilized, its body replaced by minerals (the plaster).

MATH LESSONS

Counting, Estimation, and Math Skills. Practice counting or estimating with assortments of small rubber "bugs". Obtain a collection of small plastic "eggs" and fill them with assorted numbers of small rubber bugs. Have the children select several eggs and count the number of "bugs" found in each egg. Graph the results, or add the counts to get a total for each child. Average the totals for all the children, or determine the highest and lowest counts (range).

Measuring. Practice measuring the length of the rubber "bugs" (or parts of them: legs, wings, etc.). Discuss why standards of measurement are important (all must measure the length of the body plus the antennae, or just the body to have comparable measurements). Measure in English vs. metric (do some conversions?). If you have "bugs" of different sizes, calculate the largest, smallest and average. You may even want to graph the results for better visualization.

Weighing. Practice weighing the rubber "bugs" with scales. Weigh in English vs. metric. If you have "bugs" of different weights, calculate the heaviest, lightest, and average. You may want to graph the results for better visualization.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Models for Drawing. Rubber "bugs" can be used as models for making life-like drawings of insects or other arthropods. If the images and outlines of rubber "bugs" are projected with an overhead or opaque projector, their enlarged outlines can be traced (or trace them directly).

Dioramas. Rubber "bugs" make great props for educational dioramas.

Mobiles. Assemble a collection of rubber "bugs" into a mobile.

Tracing and Color Rubs. Use the rubber "bugs" as stencils; place them down on a piece of paper and draw around the shape. Or, place a piece of paper over the rubber "bug" (flat ones work best) and rub with the side of a crayon. This is especially good for children who are not quite ready to trace or draw yet.

Shadow "Drawings".  Place an assortment of rubber "bugs" on top of a piece of construction paper. Place the construction paper and "bugs" on a sunny window ledge. After several weeks the areas of the paper not covered by the "bugs" will begin to fade. Remove the "bugs" to see "shadow drawings".

Press Painting. Dip the rubber "bugs" in tempera paint and press them onto paper.

Plastic Embedments. Small rubber "bugs" can be embedded in plastic for use as paper weights, decorative objects, or fake ice cubes. Supplies and directions are available from biological supply houses and hobby/craft stores.

LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATIONS

Subjects for Writing. Rubber "bugs" can be used as subjects for descriptive writing. Have the students prepare a written description of one or more of the rubber "bugs". Have students read their description and see if the class can figure out which one is being described. Or, write a story about one of the rubber "bugs" that magically comes to life one day.

Storytelling. Rubber "bugs" can be used as an aid to storytelling and as library "book companions" (book lists are located at the Reference Desk in the Library).

CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE SKILLS

Observation Skills. Place a variety of rubber "bugs" on the table and let students look at them briefly. Then cover them up and ask them to make a list of all the rubber "bugs" they can remember seeing. Or, hide the rubber "bugs" in the room for the children to find.

Matching Exercises. Pair identical or similar bugs (of the same order, etc.) and ask children to identify which sets are alike and which sets are not alike.

Color Sorting. Sort the "bugs" by color.

Color Patterns and Sequencing. Have the children copy a sequence or pattern, such as red, blue, green... red, blue, green... etc.

Have a "bug" parade! Have the children place the rubber "bugs" in a line from biggest to smallest, or smallest to biggest.

Familiarization with Insects and Spiders. Many insect and spider phobias can be partially or wholly eliminated through the use of rubber "bugs". Discuss why some people are afraid of insects and spiders.

Healthy Attitudes About Insects and Spiders. Rubber "bugs" can be used to help children acquire a healthy, realistic attitude towards insects and other arthropods.

Manual Dexterity and Motor Skills. Young children can use the rubber "bugs" as manipulatives to improve manual dexterity and motor skills. Hide an assortment of rubber "bugs" in oatmeal, rice or clean gravel. Give the students an opportunity to "dig" for the hidden critters. You can also place some rubber "bugs" in a bag and allow the children to reach in and feel the hidden bugs; ask if they can identify (or describe) a "bug" in the bag.

Creative Play. Rubber "bugs" can be a welcome prop for creative play and stretching the imagination. Because of their durability they can be used as water toys (bath tub) or sand box toys. I even know of one person who used a rubber lobster as a practical joke in the hot tub! Make an imaginary "insect zoo" using the rubber "bugs".

Games.  Rubber "bugs", especially the smaller ones, can be used as game pieces in a wide variety of board games. How many games can your students create that incorporate rubber "bugs" and learning about insects? Your game could be as simple as tossing the "bugs" at a target (such as a bucket or trash can). Why not try some lotto games? Give each child two or three different rubber "bugs"; place a matching set in a bag. Reach in the bag and pull out a bug; the child with the matching bug claims it. The winner is the first one to complete his or her set. A variation on this theme would be to put numbers 1 through 6 on a set of rubber "bugs" with indelible marker or paint (you'll need one set for each child). Have the children take turns rolling a die; they can claim one of the rubber "bugs" with the corresponding numbers. The winner is the first person to claim one of each of the six rubber "bugs".

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This educational resource was prepared by the Young Entomologists Society, 6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing MI 48906-9131, phone/fax 517-886-0630, e-mail YESbugs@aol.com.  Support minibeast youth education - join Y.E.S. today!