Activities & Lessons

Grades 3–5 Summer Reading Activities: Incredible Insects

2 Min Read
Incredible insects4

Caregiver Corner

Download our letter to you with tips and suggestions for extending this week’s activities with your family. Have a great week!

Welcome to Incredible Insects! We’ll provide five days of reading and learning activities designed to engage your child in an exploration of butterflies, bees, and other bugs.

Reading Monday

It’s Monday, so let’s read about friends and their love of bugs!


The Mysterious Neighbor

A new family has moved next door to Lily’s family. She wants to make friends with their daughter, Ana, but there is something mysterious about her. Why is Ana acting so strangely?



Discuss the book: What are some things that Lily and Ana have in common? How does Lily feel when she thinks Ana keeps changing her mind? What is the solution to the mystery?

Media Tuesday

It’s Tuesday, so let’s watch a video!


Zoom In

Watch the video Zoom In to find out what three kids learn when they observe a small area closely.

Discuss the video: What did the kids observe outside in the patch of grass or in the tree? What did we see in the doorway? Name something you’d like to observe outside.

Writing Wednesday

It’s Wednesday, so let’s get writing!


Write a New Ending

Think of a different way that Lily might have solved the mystery. Write a new ending for the story.


More to Read!

Research Thursday

It’s Thursday, so let’s research insects!


More About Insects

  • Look in nonfiction books or online to find information about a bug or insect. What do they look like? What do they eat? How do they move?
  • Write a brief description of your bug or insect.
  • Draw a picture of the insect and label its parts.

Project Friday

It’s Friday, so let’s create!


Use Symmetry

  • Cut a butterfly shape and fold it in half.
  • Paint a design on one side.
  • Fold your butterfly again. What happens to the paint?

Talk about what you learned about Incredible Insects this week with your friends and family!

Related Reading

teacher and students in the classroom

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy