Nature Net News
Your portal for nature tips
& tricks for exploring nature with your kids
October 2009
I Spy a Spider
"If you want to live and thrive, let the
spider run alive."
Quaker
Saying
Dear Reader, Despite their small size, they're the heroes of ancient stories, as well as of modern children's literature. Much maligned, often misunderstood, what are we talking about? Spiders, of course! See how spiders help make the world work in this month's Nature Net News. We guarantee that you'll never look at cobwebs or Halloween spider decorations the same way again! Enjoy! Kathe & Sarah |
Daddy Longlegs aren't really spiders? Also known as "Harvestmen," they are of the same class as spiders (Arachnida) but not the same order (Spiders being of the order Araneae and harvestmen being of Opiliones). Telling the difference between the two is easy--spiders have a clearly defined head and abdomen, while Daddy Longlegs appear to have one big body.
What to Do This Month:
Take a look at the calculations about how a pencil thick spider's silk thread is capable of stopping a Boeing-747 in full flight.
Go Web Watching. In the early morning, go on a walk around long grasses and search for spider webs drenched in dew.
Learn more about spiders and creatures of the night at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's Fall Fest!
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
Not So Silly Spiders
It's easy to be put off by these creepy creatures, however, keep these points in mind:
1. Spiders eat other bugs such as mosquitoes and flies.
2. Spiders keep balance. Without them, the world would overflow with bugs!
3. Those poor spiders just want to be left alone to their insects--they're probably more scared of you than you are of them!
Instant Outdoor Expert:
Spider Silk!
Spiders can shoot different types of silk (also known as gossamer) from their spinners. They have many purposes from scaffolding to egg sacs to capturing lunch. Spider silk is very elastic and has been known to stretch 140% of its length before breaking. Using weight basis, the given weight of spider silk is five times as strong as the same weight in steel. Spider silk has been used in many ways including fishing line, hats, and nets. Spider webs have also been used since ancient times in medicine because of their antiseptic qualities.
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
Aldo
Leopold Nature Center
The mission of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center is to "...teach the student to see the land, understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands." in the spirit of famed Wisconsin conservationist, Aldo Leopold. Through hands-on, guided experiences, children and adults come to discover and explore the wonders of the natural world!
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center specializes in connecting children, their families and teachers to the outdoors.
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center was established in 1994 as an independent not-for-profit charitable organization. It operates year-round, is governed by a volunteer board of directors and managed by professional staff. The Center is solely supported by charitable contributions and program fees.
.jpg)
Creepy, crawly, and cute, these pom pom spiders
are a treat for just about anytime, not just Halloween!
What you need: scrap cardboard, yarn, googly eyes, 4
pipe cleaners, glue, scissors.
1. Cut a piece of cardboard 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Also cut a piece of yarn 2 feet long. Set the cut piece of yarn aside.
2. Wrap a yard or two of yarn around the cardboard, making sure to have the yarn wrapped the longest way around the cardboard. Don't make it too tight, or you will not be able to get your yarn off, but don't make it too loose either.
3. Carefully remove the yarn loops, making sure to keep their shape, and place all four pipe cleaners on top of the loops. The loops and pipe cleaners should be placed vertically together. These pipe cleaners will be the legs of your spider.
4. Tightly tie the yarn you set aside around your yarn and pipe cleaner bundle.
5. Cut the yarn loops at their edges and trim to make a perfect circle. You can leave one loop uncut if you want to hang your spider.
6. Bend the legs and glue on googly eyes (Remember! Spiders have 8!), and add a string to your uncut loop if you want to hang your spider.
7. Congratulations, your spider is complete!
Suggested Reading:
"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White (all ages)
"The Very Busy Spider" by Eric Carle (all ages)
"Spectacular Spiders" by Linda Glaser (baby-preschool)
"Aaaarrgghh! Spider!" by Lydia Monks (preschool)
"The Eensy-Weensy Spider" by Mary Ann Hoberman (preschool)
"Be Nice to Spiders" by Margaret Bloy Graham (preschool-8)
"Are You A Spider?" by Tudor Humphries (4-8)
"Diary of a Spider" by Doreen Cronin (4-8)
"Spinning Spider" by Melvin Berger (4-8)
"Anansi the Spider" by Gerald McDermott (4-8)
"The Magic School Bus Spins A Web: A Book About Spiders" by Joanna Cole (4-8)
"Spiders of North America" by Ann O. Squire (9-12)
Nature Net:
The Environmental Learning Network is a program of the Aldo Leopold
Nature Center, with support from American Girl's Fund for Children.
