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Things To Do
Invite a spider to make a web with this Garden Spider Web Frame!
Once you have a web built, learn how to preserve it.
Find a few spiders and observe them safely.
Or if live spiders make you squeamish, observe some preserved ones instead!
Grab this amazing model tarantula to learn all about spider anatomy.
Learn to draw a spider with Art for Kids Hub
Or try drawing with Chalk Pastels instead!
Things To Read
There are literally hundreds of books about spiders. These are some of our favorites. Most of these books can be found in your local library.
Spiders
by Gail Gibbons
Age Range: K5-3rd
Another fabulous non-fiction book from Gail Gibbons that teaches all about spiders, their webs, their life cycle, habitat and so much more.
Spiders 101
by Janet Evans
Age Range: K5-5th
This jam-packed little book teaches all about the Black Widow, Brazilian Wandering Spider, Brown Recluse, Crab Spider, Jumping Spider and the Tarantula. Fabulous photos!
The Magic School Bus Spins a Web
by Joanne Cole
Age Range: K5-5th
Who doesn't love a Magic School Bus adventure! Join Ms. Frizzle and her science class as they learn all about spiders.
A House Spider's Life
by John Himmelman
Age Range: K5-3rd
Learn all about a house spider and what it does all day!
Are You A Spider?
by Judy Allen
Age Range: K5-3rd
As the title indicates, this book is all about exploring whether or not the reader is a spider through questions and information provided in the text. Readers will learn about the life cycle of spiders, what spiders like to eat, the everyday life of spiders, and much more. Written primarily for the younger reader, but older elementary age children are likely to benefit greatly from the story as well.
Spinning Spiders (Let's Read & Find Out Science 2)
by Melvin Berger
Age Range: K5-4th
Learn all about spiders and the webs they spin, and even learn how to make a web of your own!
Things for Deeper Study & Fun
Great Science Adventures: The World of Insects and Arachnids
By Dinah Zike & Susan Simpson
Discover The World of Insects and Arachnids through the fun, unique approach used in the Great Science Adventures Series.Organized around 24 lessons, each with a mini-book project, lab activity, and graphic organizer project, students will learn about who studies insects, what insects are, how their systems function, what the differences between butterflies and moths are, and more.
Lessons are written to the teacher and tie together the various elements of the curriculum. Each features primary concepts to teach, vocabulary words, a note on which "Lots of Science Library Book" mini-book to make & read, lab activities, graphic organizer instructions, and "Experience, Investigations, and Research" enrichment/extension projects. Clear directions with step-by-step, leveled instructions, pictures, and helpful information make presenting lessons easy once the pre-lesson preparation is completed. A final cumulative project completes the course.
Each "Lots of Science Library Book" mini-book is numbered to match a lesson, and when completed, features the content for each lesson. Books are designed to be read to students, read independently, or used as research materials. Teachers will need to photocopy pages in order to create the booklets.
The 3D Graphic Organizers are also organized by lesson number, and provide pictures and graphics to be duplicated and used as manipulatives or other forms of visual reinforcement. These allow students to break down complicated information into an easy-to-remember format they can then analyze and review.
This flexible book is designed to be used as a multilevel resource or as a curriculum guide for a single student. In the "Lots of Science Library Books," the large print designates text for all students, while additional smaller print is given for older learners. Within the lessons for the teacher, pencil icons denote beginning (K-1st Grade), Primary (Grades 2 & 3) and Intermediate (Grades 4-8) levels.
This book is organized by section type (Teacher's Section, "Lots of Science Library Books" section, graphic organizer pages, etc.). Lessons take 1-3 days to complete. Grades K-8. 85 pages plus reproducible section; softcover and non-consumable if pages are reproduced. Pages are not perforated for removal.
Read Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, then dig a little deeper with this amazing four-week lesson plan provided by Walden Media. Here's a few discussion questions from Scholastic to use as well. When you're done with all of that, pop some popcorn and watch the movie. Then pull out some coloring pages to round out the fun!
I can’t stand Spiders of any kind but I know my son would enjoy this lesson. So I might have to see if I can get Charlie’s dad to teach this lesson to him. Or wait until his sister comes to visit. Or I just might have to be brave and teach it to Charlie as I know he would enjoy this a lot.
They are so much fun to study, though they give me the willies too!
Such great resources! I’m adding this post to my Spider Unit Study Pinterest board. I’ve never seen the Garden Spider web frame. That is awesome! I need it.
Thank you for the add and for stopping by. Love your blog!
When I was applying for a full-time education position at my local zoo, we had to present a lesson on spiders. I made a web out of a hula hoop and used velcro on ping pong balls to show how webs catch bugs.
What a great idea! We will definitely be trying that. Thank you for sharing!
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