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Why are so many people scared of bugs?
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Why are so many people scared of bugs?
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

How do you feel about bugs?

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Slide Image
Step
01/21
Get your supplies.
Step
02/21
You need a long strip of paper. So fold your paper the long way, then
cut along the fold to make two pieces.
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Slide Image
Step
03/21
This simple centipede has 16 legs. It would take a long time to cut out
all those legs! Think about this:
Step
04/21
Fold one of your pieces of paper in half the long way. Run your finger
along the fold to make a good crease. Then unfold it.
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Step
05/21
Draw a wiggly line down the fold you just made. Fold the paper again,
with the line on the outside.
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Step
06/21
Now fold this long strip in half, like this. Fold it again, like this.
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Step
07/21
Find the wiggly line you drew on the first fold you made. Line your
finger up with that fold. Draw a line along the side of your finger,
like this.
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Step
08/21
Draw a V on your folded paper. Line up one side of a finger with one
side of the V. Draw a line on the other side of your finger. Write LEG
or scribble in this leg.
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Step
09/21
Line up the side of a finger with the other side of the V. Draw a line
on the other side of the finger. Write LEG or scribble in this leg.
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Step
10/21
Before you start cutting, think about this:
Step
11/21
Cut around the legs on your centipede. If it’s too hard to cut through
all the layers, ask a grown-up for help.
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Step
12/21
Carefully unfold your centipede. Count the legs. Think about this:
How did you cut so many legs so quickly?
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Step
13/21
Look at how colorful real centipedes can be. Think about what your
centipede could look like.
Step
14/21
Put a blank sheet of paper under your centipede. Start at the body
and color outward. Add eyes. Fold the front legs forward to make
antennae.
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Step
15/21
Now that you’ve made one centipede, use the other half of your
paper to make another. Here’s a reminder of how to fold the paper.
There are also pictures of different ways to make the legs!
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Step
16/21
YOUNGER STUDENTS: you're all done!
OLDER STUDENTS: If you have time, here are more things to try.
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Step
17/21
Now that you’ve tried our folding trick, think about why it works.
Discuss:
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Step
18/21
Here’s how they’re the same: You can fold them down the middle and
the sides match. That’s why you can fold the paper and cut out both
sides at the same time.
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Step
19/21
Here’s how they are different: The top half of the centipede and the
spider matches the bottom half. That’s not true of the heart. Discuss:
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Step
20/21
The top of the folded centipede matches the bottom—so you can
fold it one more time. The spider has one last super tricky fold.
Slide Image
Step
21/21
When you fold a shape and the sides match, people say the shape is
“symmetrical.” Knowing this makes it easy to cut out hearts, flowers,
centipedes, or spiders!
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
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Featured Reviews

“This lesson was fun & easy to implement and had fantastic crossover lessons (ex. diversity, art & symmetry).”
· Elizabeth · Homeschooler
“I loved the easy preparation for this one. The kids were really engaged!”
· Carrie · Teacher
“My students LOVED making their own creepy crawly critters! They are in Kindergarten and needed a little extra help with the cutting and lining things up, but they were THRILLED with their projects when they were finished.”
· Jacqueline · Teacher
“The scholared loved making their own creepy crawly bugs after the lesson”
· Chae · Teacher
“This was SUCH an awesome activity! The scientist had my students engaged and all the current references to movies and video games impressed them! We completed the centipede activity and I really liked the step by step videos. Very detailed and clear to see. EXCELLENT!”
· Ann · Teacher
“Our Kinders were enthralled with the bug info. They loved creating creepy crawly bugs with paper and scissors.”
· Joann · Teacher
“They really enjoyed making different kinds of bugs!”
· Megan · Teacher
“Fantastic! The visiting scientist was superb. The kids were super engaged! Thanks!”
· Loree · Teacher
“It's a great mini-lesson that helps our students understand to not be afraid of something just because it's "different". Both a wonderful Science lesson and a life lesson.”
· Charlotte · Teacher
“The kids liked the video but LOVED the activity. It was also great for their fine motor skills! ”
· Jesse · Teacher

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Biodiversity

Activity Prep

Print Prep
This mini-lesson features a guest scientist, insect expert Dr. Samuel Ramsey. Guided by Dr. Ramsey, students will explore the wide variety of life found in the bug world and learn to appreciate the unique traits and abilities of bugs. In the activity, Paper Creepy Crawlers, students learn about symmetry by creating colorful paper centipedes.
Preview activity
Blank Paper (8.5 x 11")
You can also use construction paper, notebook paper, copy paper, even letters from junk mail.
Details
90 sheets
Crayons
Colored pencils or markers will also work.
Details
90 crayons
Pencil
30
Scissors
30
Prep Instructions

This is an activity that kids can do in class or at home, solo or with others. No print-outs needed!

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Biodiversity

Extend this lesson

Discussions

Activity

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Why are so many people scared of bugs?

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