The Wonder of SMALL THINGS

There’s something truly magical about the curiosity of children. It’s a special quality that fills them with a desire to explore, discover and investigate everything in the world around them. Their minds are full of boundless ideas and endless questions, and they are highly motivated to interact with and understand the environment they live in.

As students of Biological Sciences, our Year 1 students during Term 1 had the privilege of studying the incredible behaviour and exquisite appearance of creatures in the insect world. But it wasn’t just a matter of reading books or watching videos - they were able to experience this wondrous world firsthand.

Through carefully planned experiences, they held and observed living insects and witnessed the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle. It was an opportunity to explore the fascinating world of insects and to welcome into their classrooms special individuals - an entomologist and a butterfly expert - who inspired and stimulated their curiosity. They answered their questions scientifically and encouraged that spark of wonder within them all.

In their presence, they could see the mystery, beauty and wonder of the insect world as they passionately shared their knowledge and encouraged us to have a sense of pure awe at the world. They learned to think scientifically, to reason logically and solve problems, and to understand our role in caring for the world around them.

But it wasn’t just about learning scientific concepts. The Year 1 students also learned about respect - appreciating that even the smallest creatures of our world are complex and have an important role in the world’s ecosystems. They witnessed the passion of the presenters and the love and care they showed towards the insect world, even keeping them as pets.

As a special treat, they were entrusted with a mealworm to look after through its life stages into a beetle. It was an incredible responsibility, and it taught them about the importance of caring for other living beings and the wonder of witnessing the transformation of life.

Through our study of insects, they gained valuable knowledge on the incredible diversity of life and the importance of preserving it. They learned that every creature, no matter how small, has a vital role to play in the world’s natural systems.

Overall, the study of insects was an emotional and enlightening experience for the Year 1 students, one that left them with a deep appreciation for the incredible diversity of life on our planet. They are grateful for the opportunity to have learned about the critical role of insects and to have gained a deeper understanding of their place in the world.

Linda Terry Year 1 Teacher