Mealworms: Raise them, watch them, see them change
What’s inside...
Mealworms shows kids how to set up a mealworm farm with little cost and maintenance, and what to watch for as these fascinating insects go through metamorphosis to mature as darkling beetles. Often used in classroom experiments, mealworms have a life cycle that spans about six weeks. They are compact, easy to care for, and, best of all, they can't fly so they won't escape from the habitat kids create! The book includes easy-to-follow experiments that cover topics such as the common characteristics of insects, metamorphosis, life cycles, habitats, and animals' responses to their environments.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think happens to a mealworm as it grows?
Can you describe how mealworms might feel or behave during different stages of their life?
Why do you think it's important for us to learn about mealworms and their life cycle?
How do you think taking care of a mealworm might be similar or different to taking care of a pet like a dog or a cat?
What are some ways we can make sure mealworms are healthy and safe while we watch them change?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use probing questions to encourage deeper thinking and connection-making, such as asking your child to compare the life cycle of a mealworm to that of other animals.
Enable your child to predict what might happen next in the mealworm’s life cycle, fostering their critical thinking skills.
Discuss the ecological importance of mealworms and other insects to help your child understand their role in nature.
Relate the learning from the book to personal experiences where possible, such as recalling a time when you encountered insects or other small creatures.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Children learn about responsibility through the care and nurturing required in raising mealworms.
Real-World Application: This can translate to a child’s everyday life by teaching them the importance of caring for living things, be it pets or plants, fostering empathy and diligence.
Example Lesson: Life Cycles
Explanation: The book details the transformation of mealworms into beetles, introducing children to the concept of life cycles.
Real-World Application: Understanding life cycles can help children grasp concepts of growth and development in the world around them, enhancing their comprehension of natural science.
Example Lesson: Observation Skills
Explanation: By watching mealworms grow, children learn the importance of close observation, a key scientific skill.
Real-World Application: These skills can be applied in academic settings or in everyday problem-solving, helping children to pay attention to detail and analyze their environment.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Raising mealworms requires waiting for them to grow and change, teaching children patience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop their ability to wait for results, whether in their personal projects, during school activities, or in interpersonal relationships.