About
this Daily Classroom Special:
Science to Go provides easy yet meaningful
science activities for grades k-8. Science to Go was written
by Barbara Smith, Magnet Coordinator at Harvard Elementary, Houston
(TX) and former Teachers Network web mentor.
Doodlebugs
Objectives
Explore patterns, interactions between living things and their environment.
Activity
Collect doodlebugs (AKA: pillbugs, sowbugs, armadillidium vulgare)
from warm, moist places and bring to your class with some leaf litter
for a temporary habitat.
Discuss proper handling of life forms before allowing students to
begin. Construct 3 different test trays: one with wet and dry paper
towels, one with ice under one end and a heating pad under the other
end, one with a lamp or flashlight pointed at an end. Place pillbugs
in the middle of the trays, observe behavior, record results, and make
conclusions about preferences for moisture, temperature, and light.
Return pillbugs to their original habitat. (Safety tip: feathers and
paintbrush bristles are good for moving the pillbugs without harming
them.)
Materials
 Pillbugs, 3 wallpaper
trays or long Styrofoam meat trays, paper towels, water, ice, heating
pad, lamp or flashlight
Interested in other creepy crawlies? Make sure to check out Critter's
Corner, an entire Daily Classroom Special devoted to the things
that make you go eeeek!
Website Picks for Science
International Food Information
Council - Information and educational programs on food safety, health,
nutrition. Has a section for teachers on curriculum and activities.
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