Tiny Critters

Sustainable Science provides opportunity for children to find and explore the tiny critters who live in our world. Caterpillars sometimes are helpful, and other times they are eating up the plants we want to eat. When there are an abundance of critters, we can hold, explore, and be comfortable with safe critters.

The compost bin is a source of fascination. "What is growing in there?" "Where are the worms?" "What is hiding under the brown leaves?" "Can I see the fruit and veggie scraps from my classroom?"

When we turn out the compost, you can be sure of a plethora of mealworms, sow bugs, and worms.

Spiders are not critters that we hold, but on occasion we can easily see on that is very still on their spider web. This one was carefully perched between plants in our vegetable garden, and cooperated with some careful viewing by the students.

There is a caterpillar thriving on our parsley! I will happily share with this one. I'm not sure if it is a black swallowtail or not. The joy and fascination of finding and carefully holding a ladybug is enthralling to watch.

Full Circle! A healthy garden needs healthy soil, which can start in the compost pile. This compost pile also is a favorite digging spot for the students. With careful digging, you can find multiple worms, sow bugs, grubs, mealworms, an occasional centipede, and much more.