Pre-K teamed with Kindergarten in a unit of study on Life Cycles. The Pre-K and Kindergarten class researched by going on-line, reading many books and directly observing ladybug larvae develop in a special Lady bug Land from the Insect Lore Company. Kindergarten and Pre-K were teamed as buddies to share their information throughout the unit on how and what do ladybugs eat, shed their skin to grow and finally attach themselves to the top of the dome in the pupa stage. Both classes took turns ladybug sitting the dome so each could see them develop. Along the various stages students drew and painted ladybugs. We have attached some examples of our work. Pre-K got a chance to write a simple poem with their Kindergarten buddy. Here is a sample :

LADYBUG LADYBUG
by Innah (Pre-K) and Krishen (K)

Ladybug, ladybug
Oh ladybug,
come to my yard where the sun shines so bright,
visit my flowers and let me watch you take flight,
ladybug, ladybug,
I wish you had arms long enough for me to give you a big hug !!

Everyone was amazed when yellow ladybugs appeared--everyone was expecting the red color! Later on the yellow turned to the expected red right before their release into a nearby garden. The children were very excited to see the ladybugs fly and squeals of delight were heard when they landed on some of them! Each class was fascinated , teachers and students, at how much they learned about the important job of this humble insect! Thank you for a very valuable project and experience!!