Well, slugs are kinda lowly creatures. Interesting, but not the top of the list even when thinking of teaching children about insects. I’m glad they were included in the Bugs & Crawly Things theme though because we really enjoyed our slug themed activities! We made slug bug habitats, learned a “Little Slug” song, read a book about slugs and played a-ug word family matching/rhyming game.
Slug
Slugs are slimy. They are slow. Where do they live? In the dirt! Slugs can be found in gardens or under leaves and logs. They like to live where it is moist. That was a good question to ask my group – “What does moist mean?” A couple of them already knew because a big brother explained it. Then, “What is a habitat?” I’m telling you, these are some smart 4 and 5-year-olds who know this stuff!
We sang this little song while checking out our “slugs”, which are just wide rubber bands cut apart. First I sing the song and then we repeat it a few times until I have the children singing along. They catch on quick!
The rubber band slugs seemed to come alive with imagination and the words of the song!
Slug Bug Habitats
Looking at the Inspiration Photo, we wonder: Where is the slug in the photo? What do you think the slug is doing?
We’ve already discussed habitats so we’re ready to make one for our slugs! Silly me, I was looking for paper to create our environments on, when the 5-year-old said, “Stacy, I think we need these.” (the clear deli containers). Oh yes! The containers to create habitats in are so much more awesome! 
First, we mixed a bit of Modge Podge (dries clear and the kids love the smell of it but regular glue would work fine too) with some brown liquid watercolor and dirt.
Painting inside the dish creates a wet, muddy looking base for our slug’s habitat.
Next, we added in some more dirt and grass. Everyone went outside to find leaves, grass and rocks, to put in their dishes.
The perfect environment for a slug!
Mother Goose Time has such fab ideas! These Slug Bug Habitats look so real, especially in the eyes of a child. It makes learning real and memorable when children can connect with nature and create something with their own hands.
The parents were tickled too, to discover the “slug” was a rubber band. How fun!
The word “slug” is fun in itself to say, but think of all the rhyming words! What rhymes with “slug”? They came up with all sorts of words. Then we when through the wheel and sounded out each word. This Word Family game can be used in several ways. Turn the wheel and make a word. Flip over a card. If it matches, keep the card.
Or play a matching game with the word cards (there’s two of each). Another way to play: Hand out the cards, turn the wheel to make a word, and invite children holding that word to shout it out! Or match it or stand up. Whatever works for you. I like the flexibility of the game. That means we can use it more than once and try them all. Or adjust the activity to the development of the child.
Before nap, we read our only slug book – “Slugs in Love“. What a cute story! Mary Lou and Herbie eventually meet in the garden and live happily ever after.
Who knew how awesome slugs could be??