Children's Chinese Book Garden

  When it comes to close observations of a major natural phenomenon, metamorphosis, no other animal can beat silkworms. They are easy to take care of, fun to interact with, and go through all the stages with amazing grade. When it comes to culture learning, silk making and the silkroad are right at the core of Chinese culture and history. We raised silkworms throughout the five weeks of camp. Children had a chance to observe them hatching from eggs, growing as larvae, and spinning cocoons. Children actively participated in feeding the worms and some adopted a few at the end of the camp to watch them come out of the cocoons as moths.

  On day one of the camp, children observed the silkworm eggs, and started a book recording their observations of the silkworms with words and drawings. After three days, children were happy to see that the silkworms hatched and that they immediately started to eat. They again observed and recorded this new stage using words and drawings. We’ve also started reading a book about silkworms, describing the stages of the metamorphosis.

  During week 2, children saw silkworms change ever day. During their first observation on Monday, we asked them to pay attention to the details of their changes over the weekend. Children noticed that their heads seemed to have popped up, wider than the rest of their body. Also, the head was whitish and greenish, and the rest of the body was still brownish. Children then went on to represent this detailed observation in their drawing in the silkworm book. Many came to check the silkworms immediately upon their arrival at the class. Some became loving and careful feeders of the silkworms.

  During week 3, children saw silkworms grow obviously bigger ever day.  Childrennoticed that some of them molted and then went on to represent this detailed observation in their drawing in the silkworm book. During week 4, children continued to observe and take care of the silkworms as they were rapidly growing and molting. During week 5, a third of the silkworms turned into cocoons during this week. Many of the remaining ones had stopped eating and were ready to spin. Several children each adopted a few of the silkworms with the support of their parents.

My Silkworm Book