One of my favorite types of living things to have in the classroom are Bess Beetles! I get these amazing beetles from Carolina Biological Supply and the kids absolutely love observing them and working with them. Click here to check out the kit on Carolina! I usually buy one or two of these kits for my classroom.
This kit gives you everything you need to have Bess Beetles in your classroom!
These insects will eat through the logs they provide. They do sell replacement logs so you can keep the beetles in your classroom for many years!
Just spritz them with water every day and you will be surprised how much your kids watch them!
Did you know Bess Beetles don’t bite or pinch? They are easy to handle and are also safe, even for younger kids, to hold!
I have also developed a Bess Beetle lab pack to use in my own classroom! The lab pack contains many different resources. Click here to check out this lab pack!
This Bess Beetle pack includes:
1. Bess Beetle Vocabulary – There are 15 vocabulary cards with definitions and pictures and an interactive notebook page for recording these definitions. There are two options for the front page.
2. What is a Bess Beetle? – There is a pocket for recording information about these insects and an information page. We watch videos about these beetles, books are hard to find.
3. Diagram of a Bess Beetle – Fill in the diagram of a Bess beetle by cutting out the parts and gluing them into the correct locations on the Bess beetle. Add information about each part.
4. Life Cycle of a Bess Beetle – There is information about the life cycle of a Bess beetle. Students need to create their own life cycle chart for their interactive notebook. Copy the front page on cardstock if possible. Use a metal brad to spin the top piece.
5. Observe Live Bess beetles and Larvae– Observe live Bess beetles. These can be purchased on-line. The teacher should gently place a beetles onto a paper towel for each pair or group of students. There are also an Observe an Egg, Larvae, Pupa, and Bess Beetle Lab Sheets (we use actual live Bess beetles in each group for these observation).
6. Assorted Lab Sheets with Live Bess Beetles – There are three lab sheets that can be done with live Bess beetles. We place the Bess beetles into small bowls for these labs. They will crawl away, so be sure to watch them carefully!
7. Bess Adaptations – Do some research to find out how Bess beetles adapt to survive. Color the pictures and write the adaptations.
8. Fun Facts about Bess Beetles – Do some research using books and/or the Internet. Find 6 fun facts about these beetles. Make a mini-poster with your findings.
Why not try using some live animals in your classroom science instruction! They are a great way to grab student attention and interest!
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