Last Updated on February 18, 2025 by TrayKay
For budding entomologists and nature detectives, these free insect lesson plans and investigations help take the learning outside:
Field Guides
Essential for comparing illustrations with actual crawlies and flying beasties discovered, and for learning fast facts. Here are a couple you can download for free:
Orkin Guide: Has color photos and basic information on common insects, like bees, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, ants, etc. 24 pages.
EPA Bug Book: This more comprehensive garden guide contains pictures and information on good and bad bugs, bug control tips, homemade bug spray recipes, and plants that attract good bugs. 52 pages.
Field Studies
Basic Insect Observation Worksheet
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Workbook: Information and activities about mosquitoes, honeybees, and other insects.
Incredible Invertebrates: Reading comprehension worksheet and answer key.
Free Readers:
A Visit to a Butterfly Greenhouse
How Do Flies Walk Upside Down?
National Geographic Explorer Magazines:
Dragonfly
Pollination Nation
Ant Farmers
Videos and Interactives
- Insects and Bugs: Has a variety of interactives and games.
- Explore Bees: Smithsonian site features a collection of resources for studying bee behavior.
- What’s Bugging You? PBS LearningMedia videos about insects.