Description

A great way to learn and remember the difference between a spider and an insect is to get this downloadable resource: Little Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders. The Lyrics in this book illustrate the difference between a spider and an insect. You can help others to know the differences with our Teach About Spiders and Insects with Little Miss Muffet teacher’s guide too.

Is a Spider an Insect

Let's start with the basics. First, spiders are not insects. Insects have six legs. However, spiders have eight legs. Therefore, spiders are what is known as an arachnid. Almost all arachnids have eight legs.

Arachnida definition

The dictionary says that Arachnida is a class of arthropods that includes spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks. They have become adapted for terrestrial life and possess both lungs and tracheae, and many have silk or poison glands.

Arachnid

Therefore, arachnids are arthropods and invertebrates just as insects. Likewise, they have an exoskeleton which means they do not have any bones. However, arachnids are a different animal group than insects. Spiders, scorpions, and dust mites are all in the arachnid family. Arachnids have four pairs of legs and do not have antennas or wings. They have a pair of clamps near their mouth called chelicerae that they use to hold their prey. Likewise, they are carnivores and feed on insects, other arachnids, and sometimes even small mammals.

Arachnids also have only two sections in their body. An abdomen and a cephalothorax. In contrast, insects have three body parts.

Spiders are Arachnids

Spiders are the most common arachnids. Most of them are venomous but only a few are dangersou to humans. They are fasniating creatures and an important part of our ecosystem. Having a spide around can help illiminate mosiquitos and other troublesome insects from your yard. 
Here is a short youtube video too.

We explore five specific ways that make a spider different from an insect in this blog. 

Little Miss Muffet learns the difference between an insect and a spider

Little Miss Muffet sits on the tuffet to see if the spider returns. She has studied books and observed her surroundings and therefore knows specific details about spiders and insects. Consequently, this new knowledge helps her overcome her fear of spiders and she is anxious to share it with the spider in the story. Students will read and discover important scientific facts about the difference between a spider and an insect in this printable guided reading book and PowerPoint ebook that uses the familiar Mother Goose rhyme of Little Miss Muffet. Children will be on their way to becoming an entomologist and an arachnologist through this memorable book. Moreover, this creative resource will help students learn to read. They will be able to recite a fun rhyming text while tracking each word.

Here’s what is included:

The resource includes a printable 20-page guided reading book and a PowerPoint Show of the book. In addition, the text is easy for young readers to recite, track, and read.  Additionally, the book includes full-color illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator, Dawn Stephens that also visually explain the differences between a spider and an insect’s body parts, legs, and eyes. You can download this creative teacher resource and print an individual book for each student. Further, the PowerPoint Show can be projected on a large screen and allow the students to read the story as a group. Certainly, this resource will allow you to teach reading and science at the same time.   You will also ❤ love other “Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature” resources:   Jack and Jill Learn About Water Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions Mary Learns About Animal Coverings Jack B. Nimble Learns About Shadows Mr. and Mrs. Sprat Learn About Foods   You can also purchase these products on Teachers Pay Teachers   Let’s Connect Blog Facebook Instagram Pinterest