Activities

Project Ideas

Polly is full of real facts that I found through research about organic gardening, bugs, and bats. My characters learn how to be stewards of the earth, to protect it, and help all of earth’s inhabitants to be safer and healthier. Now that you’ve read the book, why not ask your parents if you can do a project based on an aspect of the story that interests you. Here are a few ideas:

    Look up the spotted bat to learn more about them. The study of bats is called chiropterology. Emack is real type of bat. His scientific name is Euderma Maculatum. Bats use echolocation to find bugs to eat. What else can you find out?

    The study of bugs is called entomology. In this story, you learned about aphids, praying mantises, bees, and a little about owlflies. You can start by looking at pictures of them, then read about what bugs eat and how they catch their prey. Are they social or do they work alone?

    Colony collapse is a real issue facing the globe. What is it, and what causes it to happen? Do you know how important bees are to humans? Honey is just one of the foods we enjoy because of them. If you do a research project on bees, you will find out many interesting facts about them. They have unique ways of communication, are very loyal to their queen, and have an important role to play in the food we eat every day. Can you find out all of the foods we eat because of bees? If bees were gone, what would happen to us?

    Organic farmers do use bugs to protect their crops so they don’t have to spray them with synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Try growing an organic garden while using real bugs to keep the crops pest free. You can really order them online! Questions to consider art, which bugs do you plan to order? After, which bugs do you find to be the best hunters?

If you do one of these projects, I’d love to hear about it. Ask your parents to send me some pictures or the essay about your discoveries. I’d love to share about it online. Remember, I’ve always said, one person can make a difference. You just have to make a reasonable plan, do your research, and never, ever give up until you’ve reached your goals. In the end, the rewards are always worth the hard work.