Insect boxes

First, the children researched (using books and the internet) the importance of insect boxes and materials that might be used and then discussed their findings as a class.  They created group mind maps and then individual mind maps detailing the different benefits for their insect boxes.

The children sketched out their designs for the insect boxes thinking about what materials they would fill the inside with to encourage different types of insects.

They worked in groups of 5 and each measured out a piece of balsa wood. Then they used a saw to cut it to the correct length using the woodwork table, fastening the wood in the clamp  for safety. The class teacher modelled how the children should position themselves when cutting the wood and they were all responsible in doing so. They then used sandpaper to rub down rough edges.

After cutting the wood they worked as a team to form the five pieces into a structure and fasten it (temporarily with masking tape and it was then glued).   

In their groups they took trays outside to collect different dry leaves, twigs, moss and grasses for the inside of the insect box.  Nursery were kind enough to let us use some of their bamboo as the circular holes of the canes make good homes for insects (and Mr Carr brought in some of his bamboo canes from home).

They again worked well in their teams to fill the insect boxes and they had to think carefully about how to build up the different layers so that the materials would sit in the insect box properly.

The children also took pleasure in painting their finished creations and they then found spots on the school field to position them.

They will observe over the coming weeks which insects have found new homes!

In a computing lesson they also created adverts on Google slides advertising the “Bug Hotels” to prospective insects!