Backyard - Nature Study Australia · Backyard Minibeast Challenge Find a flying minibeast with...
Transcript of Backyard - Nature Study Australia · Backyard Minibeast Challenge Find a flying minibeast with...
Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Find a flying
minibeast with
taste buds on their
feet.
What minibeasts
will you find in the
soil?
Search for an
insect
which
scurries around car-
rying food for the
nest.
Explore the yard
for an insect which
eats nectar from the
flowers.
Investigate the yard
for an insect which
eats grubs.
Find a minibeast
with a
hard
shell on
the back.
Can you find a
minibeast with
more than six legs?
Search for an insect
that hops.
Explore the yard
for a slithering
minibeast.
Find a
smelly
bug.
Can you
find a
camouflaged
minibeast?
What insects can
you hear?
What minibeasts
are eating the
vegetables?
Search
for bugs
on and
underneath
the bark of a tree.
Can you find an
insect with four
wings?
What insects come
out at night?
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Ideas for the Backyard Challenge
Print out the table and stick it on the fridge to encourage the children to search for minibeasts.
Print out the Backyard Minibeast Notebook pages for easy access.
Prepare a nature caddy with an insect jar, a spoon to lift insects with and a magnifying glass.
Search for insects in these places:
• On walls, especially near outside lights. • In the air flying about. • In the garden beds. • Under pot plants. • Under logs, firewood and bark. • Under rocks. • In the soil. • On top of or under leaves and flowers. Be cautious of snakes and dangerous spiders.
A few things to do once a minibeast is found:
• Take photographs and paste them in a nature journal. • Make a sketch of the minibeast found each day on the notebook pages provided
for the challenge. Label the sketch. • Write a few things you know about the minibeast: where did you find it? What
time of day was it? What does it eat? How big is it? Can it fly? Does it burrow? • A bug may be collected and stored in a bottle with breathing holes and plant
matter for observation. When the investigation is over, set the insect free. • Start a backyard field guide with the photos and information you have com-
piled.
A few more backyard activities:
• Make a list of the minibeasts which visit the backyard. Make note of the time and date for future reference.
• Build an insect motel to encourage insects to stay in the backyard. • Keep an ant or worm farm. • Keep silkworms and rear butterflies. • Start a bug collection.
Instructions for the Backyard Challenge:
• Join our Nature Science for Aussie Families Facebook Group or Nature Study Australia’s Forum to
share photographs of the children (and adults) participating OR of the minibeasts observed. The
photos can be discreet. If you prefer Instagram use the hashtag #backyardminibeastchallenge.
• Post at least once a day or as many times as you like.
• There are four books to giveaway. The Giveaway will be drawn Saturday, 27th January 2018.
• The winners will receive an Australian Guide by Bob Winters and published by Gould League.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
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Backyard Minibeast
Note your observations above and sketch below.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast ________________________________________________________________
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Note your observations above and sketch below.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast ________________________________________________________________
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Note your observations above and sketch below.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast ________________________________________________________________
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Note your observations above and sketch below.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast ________________________________________________________________
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Note your observations above and sketch below.
Backyard Minibeast
Draw, paint or paste a picture of a minibeast.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast
Draw, paint or paste a picture of a minibeast.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast
Draw, paint or paste a picture of a minibeast.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast
Draw, paint or paste a picture of a minibeast.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast
Draw, paint or paste a picture of a minibeast.
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Nature Study Australia © Marie Viljoen 2018 5 Day Backyard Minibeast Challenge
Backyard Minibeast List
Minibeast
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