Continuing our study of creepy crawlies this week, we look at spiders. We know that spiders (arachnids) are different from insects in that they have only two main body parts, eight legs, and pairs of eyes (up to four pair). However, in class we will focus on the hunting techniques of spiders. There are orb weavers, ambush hunters, and jumping spiders. Many spiders use their surroundings as camouflage. The kids enjoy looking at pictures and identifying important spiders like tarantulas, Black Widows and the seriously venomous Texas Brown Recluse! Spiders do a good job of eating insects that bother humans. Spiders are our friends, but they aren't friendly! We remember that scientists observe, they do not disturb--especially spiders in their webs.

We will build our own "hairy" wolf spiders during center time, and we will make a yummy spider cookie to eat for our snack.

We'll continue to have our spider/insect matching card games, insect finger puppets, and insect stencils to play with and create during center time. On your next family hike around the neighborhood, be on the lookout for our "creepy" insect friends.

Next week: Reptiles and Amphibians