Materials
children's book about insects (see list below for suggestions)
black-and-white pictures of bugs
paper
pencils (1 per child)
crayons
Instructions
* Read books about fireflies (see list for suggestions).
What to Do
1. Have the children sit together on the floor.
2. Engage the children in a discussion about fireflies. Ask the children if they have
seen fireflies before, and if so, why the insects have such an interesting name.
3. Hand out several flashlights. Tell the children their flashlights are fireflies and
you are going to make the room dark.
4. Take turns. Have a child place their firefly over, under, and beside an object.
Poem
Holding the Light by Kristen Peters
I cup my hands, fingers wrapped tight, Shall I set my fireflies free?
A crawling insect gives me fright! A pleasing show of lights I see!
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip S
* Take a Popsicle (c) stick and paint it with glow-in-the-dark paint. Make wings
with wax paper. Draw on eyes. Turn off the lights and have the fireflies dance
to classical music.
* Play "freeze dance" with glow sticks (with the lights off) to the song "Firefly"
by Nancy Stewart or any other music. When you turn the lights on, have the
children freeze.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Do the children understand why fireflies have the name they do?
* Can the children shine their flashlights over, under, and beside an object
when directed?
