Skip to main content
Young kids in summer classroom learning about bugs
Rachael Walker
Book Life
Rachael Walker

Busy Bees at Jubilee

Learn along with Early Start students at Jubilee Housing in Washington, DC, as they get to know all about bugs and begin to appreciate insects for the many things they do for us — and for their uniqueness and the diversity they bring.

Another of the organizations participating in our Start with a Book (opens in a new window) on-the-ground learning project this summer is the Early Start program at Jubilee Housing in Washington, DC. Jubilee Youth Services provide Jubilee Housing residents and community members with out-of-school-time programming and a six-week summer camp with the goals of improving student outcomes in academics, health and wellness, community service, belonging, community building, and socioemotional growth. Nevaeh Pittman, Early Start Program Associate, is here to share how Bug Buddies contributed to their hive of activity.


Gaining Appreciation for Insects by Nevaeh Pittman

Hey there!

I am Nevaeh Pittman, and I have the pleasure of serving Jubilee Housing’s Early Start Program. During the summer we offer a 5-week camp for rising 1st-3rd graders. Bug Buddies (opens in a new window) was the perfect addition to camp this year and gave our nature week an interesting twist. Not only did Early Start students try to better understand why we fall below mosquitoes on the food chain, but they also had the chance to break in our new reading corner with the books we were provided.

Overall, the Bug Buddies curriculum is very flexible and includes a variety of hands-on activities that keep students engaged. We started off our nature week with the Bugs vs Insects Activity (opens in a new window)

Young kids in summer classroom learning about bugs

 

Early Start students did great job of identifying insects and are now experts thanks to the “Parts of an Insect” song! 

As the days went on, the children were surprised that bugs have a bigger purpose than “biting and buzzing.” They were able to learn firsthand how bugs affect plants while caring for their garden and even had questions for the staff during our trip to an orchard that connected bugs to crops. In addition, the children asked more about their new pet hermit crabs which lead to us talking more about their life cycle and why they are identified as crustaceans.   

Kids outside exploring in the dirt and at an orchard

 

How to Build an Insect by Roberta Gibson was the fan favorite this summer. This was often the book of choice during buddy reading and free time. 

Summer program leader reading picture book to group of young kis

 

All of the information the children were learning helped them become more aware of the smaller life forms around them. They even discussed whether a bug inside our center should be let out or “taken care of.” Fortunately or unfortunately, flies did not receive the benefit of doubt! 


Resources

About the Author

Join children’s literacy consultant Rachael Walker and many of the authors, parents, and educators she’s met and worked with to talk about how books have changed their lives, how to bring books to life for young readers, and how to enrich kids’ lives with good books. 

Publication Date
August 28, 2024
Top