This is one of those all time favorite projects of the children.   Each child designs their own insect using model magic.  I buy it at Michael's with a 40 percent off coupon.   I give each child a bit of each of the four colors.   A box like the one in the photo will supply a class of 25.

I provide a tray of materials such as googly eyes, pipe cleaners, beads, jewels, and feathers.  I tell them that it has to have a head, thorax and abdomen.  The rest is up for grabs.  After they completed their insect, I had the children write about it.  What is your insect called?  Where is its habitat?

STEP ONE:  Form the three main body parts.
Designing an Insect from Fairy Dust Teaching on Vimeo.

STEP TWO:  Add six legs into the thorax.

STEP THREE:  Add eyes.  Continue to design to your liking – antennae?  pinchers?  wings?
Make sure the students add tacky glue to anything they attach to the insect.  Let the insect dry overnight.

Designing an Insect – Adding Details from Fairy Dust Teaching on Vimeo.

One child created a baby insect.

Notice the little baby on this insect's back.

Another leg!

Insect is taking a test flight!