Spiders create interesting cases to hold their eggs.
The lesson on spiders is broken into two parts; the first part focused on the spider’s web, and this lesson covers the spider itself and its nest and eggs.
Read the current chapter online: “Spiders And Their Nests”
Suggestions
- The lesson refers to “the laws which God has planted” in the spider’s being. These laws of nature, often referred to as Natural Law, make an interesting study for older students. Questions that can be answered, discussed, and written about include where did these laws come from? and what type of laws are there? What document contains the phrase “The Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”? To help answer these questions, you’ll find resources below.
- View a black widow spider with her egg case.
- View a garden spider’s egg sac.
- The wolf spider carries her babies on her back.
- Read Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. This wonderful children’s book accurately describes a spider laying its eggs, and the newly-hatched spiders spinning their first strong web to fly off. See additional resources below.
- Make a booklet of those spiders mentioned that may cause medical difficulties. See resources below for diagram of black widow and tarantula.
- Listen to a tarantella.
- Something to do #1: You’ll find resources below for copying the egg sacs into a notebook. These pages can make a useful notebook for later identification.
- Something to do #2: The Handbook of Nature Study link below will help you find and identify spider egg sacs.
- Something to do #3: You will find resources for testing the strength of spider webs in the last lesson.
- Something to do #4: Instead of writing a letter as the lesson suggests, make a written (or oral, depending on age) narration to keep in the notebook.
- Copy Psalm 145:15.
- Memorize and recite either Psalm 147:5 or Psalm 148:5.
- More of the spider’s story from the Book of Knowledge:
Spiders are able to spin at a very early age. Soon after they emerge from the silken egg sac, most baby spiders are possessed by a strange wanderlust. They climb to the top of plants and fences and then, after allowing the breeze to pull out long streamers from their spinnerets, they let go and are floated into the air. This is called ballooning and it is practiced by small spiders of all ages. In this fashion they attain great heights and sometimes fly long distances. Flying spiders have dropped upon the rigging of ships more than two hundred miles from the nearest land. During the fall months the flying activities of spiders are especially noticeable. Ballooning carries spiders swiftly into areas where they can begin new colonies.
“Spiders and Their Airy Webs,” The Book of Knowledge
Further Investigation
God & Natural Law
A nice summary from Answers in Genesis.
Declaration of Independence
The document that contains the phrase “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”
Common Spiders in and Around Home
Facts from the University of Minnesota Extension covering spider characteristics, behavior, bites, and more.
Spider Identification and Management
Helpful tips at Montana State University Extension.
Spiders
This page at EnchantedLearning.com features tarantula and the black widow spider diagrams.
Spiders of Medical Importance
University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension download lists several spiders that may cause medical problems.
14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: The Letter
Resources for the letter writing portion of the lesson.
Activities
Spider Glider
Neat idea to get those spiders moving at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Spider and Fly Problem
Math problem at Wolfram Mathworld for older students.
Edible Spiders
Cute…and tasty…craft from the PestWorldForKids.org!
Books
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Classic that helps young ones understand the benefits of spiders.
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
This wonderful children’s classic includes the story of a spider laying its eggs, and the newly-hatched spiders spinning their first strong web to fly off. Very nice tie-in.
Be Nice to Spiders by Margaret Bloy Graham
Loved this book as a child, so you know it has been around for a long time! By the same author and illustrator as Harry the Dirty Dog, Be Nice to Spiders tells the story of the important role a spider played in keeping the animals at the zoo happy. Very cute reminder of at least one benefit of spiders.
A Pocket Guide to Common Kansas Spiders
Free download from the Great Plains Nature Center that includes helpful identification information.
Unit Studies & Lesson Plans
Creating a Spider Vivarium
Lesson plan at ReadWriteThink that helps students observe and learn about spiders.
E.B. White: A Unit Study
Our own unit makes a nice tie-in with activities, units, lesson plans, and notebooking pages that go along with Charlotte’s Web.
Printables & Notebooking Pages
Life Cycle of a Spider
This free download at Block Publishing makes a nice addition to a notebook.
Spider Search Data Chart
Chart from SmithsonianEducation.org for tracking spider finds.
Spider-Shaped Book
Lined book with cover from KidZone for narrations or wrapping up.
Drawing & Writing Notebooking Paper {Free Download}
Notebooking pages with room to illustrate at the top and write at the bottom for Something To Do #1.
Friendly Letter Template
Download from K6Edu for Something To Do #4.
Coloring with Spiders ~ Free Download
From the University of Florida extension center that goes perfectly with the spider portion of our free nature studies!
Nature Journal Notebooking Sets {Free Download}
Free blank nature journal sets for drawing, illustrating, copying, or narrating.
Spiders & Their Nests Notebooking Pages
Simple pages for copywork, narrations, and wrapping up.
Enjoy the complete series:
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