Bessbugs!

Beetles can be great fun, as 1st grade students learned today in science class.  We observed and handled bessbugs, a shiny docile beetle that live in rotting wood.  Also known as betsy beetles, they have a single horn on the top of their heads and make a squeaking sound when disturbed.  They are wonderful insects to handle, as they are quite calm and slow moving.  Here are some 1st grade observations: "They are so strong, mine can move the piece of wood!" "They were a little scary at first, but now I love mine." "Look, it can hang upside down from my pencil!"  "Why do they have brown fur stuff on their legs?"  "Do they actually eat the wood or just chew it up?"  After examining the bugs, the students did an observational drawing that they labeled with the different insect parts.