| I have never met a person whose greatest need | | | | |
| was anything other than real, unconditional | | | | And tiny black feet! |
| love. You can find it in a simple act of | | | | |
| kindness toward someone who needs help. There | | | | For science, I recommend your kids could |
| is no mistaking love. You feel it in your | | | | learn some of these fascinating facts about |
| heart. It is the common fiber of life, the | | | | ladybugs. Read over these fascinating facts |
| flame of that heats our soul, energizes our | | | | with you children and discuss them. |
| spirit and supplies passion to our lives. It | | | | |
| is our connection to God and to each other. | | | | - When the temperature is about 59 degrees |
| | | | Fahrenheit, ladybugs become active. |
| Elizabeth Kubler-Ross | | | | |
| | | | - Ladybugs hibernate in cold weather. |
| You know the routine, parents shill out | | | | |
| millions of dollars each year on Valentine's | | | | - Ladybugs are cold blooded. |
| Card for kids to pass out in their classrooms | | | | |
| with the usual mass marketed cartoon figures | | | | - The ladybug uses its front legs to clean |
| printed on them. This article will explore | | | | its head and its antennae. |
| some other fun activities that kids and | | | | |
| families can do at home and school to | | | | - Ladybugs lay there eggs where aphids are |
| celebrate the day of love. | | | | present. |
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| "We never know the love of a parent till we | | | | - There are 350 species of ladybugs in our |
| become parents ourselves." | | | | country. |
| | | | |
| Henry Ward Beecher | | | | - Ladybugs go through complete metamorphosis. |
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| One activity that I enjoy in my classroom is | | | | - Ladybugs are a beetle. |
| making lady lovebug rocks. This is a great | | | | |
| activity using supplies that many families | | | | - All species of ladybugs have short legs. |
| and classrooms already have. Many people have | | | | This separates them from other beetles. |
| small river rocks sitting around their yards. | | | | |
| Some yards, like my own are landscaped with | | | | - Not all ladybugs are female. |
| small, round river rocks, sometimes referred | | | | |
| to as drain field rock. These rocks average | | | | - A ladybug lets out a yellowish liquid when |
| from 2 to 5 inches and are generally an oval | | | | it is mad. The liquid has a bad smell to its |
| shape. The school that I teach at has an | | | | predators. |
| abundance of these rocks. We go out as a | | | | |
| classroom and the kids are able to pick out | | | | - A ladybug's top flying speed is about |
| their favorite rock that they want to turn | | | | fifteen miles per hour. |
| into a ladybug love rock. The rocks are | | | | |
| washed off and allowed to thoroughly dry. The | | | | - The eggs of a ladybug are not visible to |
| supplies that you will need for this project | | | | the naked eye. |
| includes: red, white and black paint (I just | | | | |
| use red tempura), brushes, hot glue gun, | | | | For reading, a couple of books I recommend |
| wiggly eyes (if you don't have wiggly eyes | | | | are The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle and Are |
| you can just paint the eyes on), pipe | | | | You a Ladybug by Judy Allen. |
| cleaners, appliqués of all types (this | | | | |
| includes lace, raffia, ribbon, buttons etc.) | | | | The spiritual meaning of love is measured by |
| Put a base coat of red or orange paint on the | | | | what it can do. Love is meant to heal. Love |
| entire rock and allow to thoroughly dry. You | | | | is meant to renew. Love is meant to bring us |
| then use black paint to brush on stripes and | | | | closer to God. |
| spots on your ladybugs. Pick out a black pipe | | | | |
| cleaner and glue it to the top of the head | | | | Deepak Chopra, The Path to Love |
| for the antenna (a hot glue gun works the | | | | |
| best here). You can also glue on legs, but I | | | | For writing you could ask your child to write |
| have found this unnecessary. Glue on any | | | | an expository paper about the steps that they |
| other appliqués to make your lady lovebug | | | | went through to create their ladybugs and to |
| an expression of your own artistic | | | | include some facts they learned about |
| expression. Allow the project to thoroughly | | | | ladybugs that they found fascinating. You |
| dry. These lady lovebugs make great gifts for | | | | could even cover math by counting out |
| Valentines Day and great paperweights! | | | | equations on the six legs of the ladybugs. |
| | | | Use the legs as a math manipulative. You can |
| The great thing about this project is using | | | | even create story problems such as this one. |
| the project as a catalyst to teach | | | | |
| thematically in other subject areas. For | | | | Mary, Heather, Marqueta and Joelle all made |
| music the kids could learn song called the | | | | one ladybug in class for Valentines Day. How |
| Ladybug Song. It is easy to sing since it is | | | | many legs are there if each ladybug has six |
| a piggyback song. Piggyback songs are songs | | | | legs? |
| that have been keyed to familiar melodies. | | | | |
| This makes the song easy to teach and learn. | | | | The possibilities with story problem math |
| | | | problems are unlimited. Problems can be |
| Ladybug Song | | | | created to cover all math operations of |
| | | | addition, subtraction, multiplication and |
| (Sung to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star") | | | | division! |
| | | | |
| Ladybug, Ladybug | | | | So, there you have it. There is an |
| | | | alternative to the everyday mass-produced |
| She landed on my nose | | | | cartoon cards that pervade Valentines Day. |
| | | | You certainly can still pass out cards, but |
| I went "kerchoo!" and | | | | adding a creative craft project such as the |
| | | | lady lovebugs to you Valentine's Day |
| Off she flew! | | | | festivities will create rewarding, |
| | | | educational and fun activities that you and |
| Her body is round with | | | | your children will never forget. |
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| Big black dots, | | | | We can only learn to love by loving. |
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| My mommy told me | | | | Iris Murdoch |
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| They're called spots. | | | | Richard Flowers, AA, BS, MS, AS, CT, is an |
| | | | award winning first grade teacher, author, |
| Ladybug, Ladybug | | | | consultant, artist and musician at Fort |
| | | | Vannoy School in Grants Pass. Richard's |
| She looks really neat | | | | avocation is helping others. He is happy to |
| | | | answer all questions and correspondence. |
| With her bright red wings, | | | | |