Fictional Insect Shaped from Your Name!--Fun Writing Ideas for Kids

Students create a fictional insect from the shape of their name, then they describe its characteristics and habitat in detail.

Because it’s fictional, the insect can do, be or eat anything and live anywhere!

Kids loved this writing lesson because the art accent entailed making their own imaginative insect using their name. Here’s how the insect is made:

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.*

EASY ART ACCENT

First, fold a piece of colored construction paper in half the long ways.

Then, write your name so that the bottom of your name is on the fold

Next, cut out the outline of your name. (Do not cut along the fold.)

Last, open it up, turn it over, add googly eyes*, sequins*, paint*, puffy paint*, stickers, what have you!

Here’s one that I had made the day I conducted this lesson using my last name (Marino) and naming the insect “Marinomite.” You can print this example here.

NOW THE LESSON!

To get a full understanding on how I conduct each writing lesson you may want to read the Writing Prompts Introduction post. The lesson outlined below (and all other prompts posted) will make more sense and be easier to follow and use. Here’s the lined paper I use for Grades K-2 and Grades 2-7

Tell the Story Line

First, tell the story line: “You’re going to describe your insect in detail. You will create a name and describe its physical traits and behaviors. You will also decide where your insect lives, what it eats as well as any predators that kill or eat it. It’s fictional so the insect and be or do anything you want it to!” “

Insect Graphic Organizer

2. Second, help the students organize their ideas by drawing the following graphic organizer on the board.

Brainstorm

3. Third, brainstorm insect behaviors: Stings, bites ears, clings to cotton, hides, camouflage, shoots lasers, gives off a sweet smell etc.

4. Fourth, brainstorm locations and foods:

Forests, rain forests, in bushes, under beds, in the fridge etc.

Fruit, cotton, spider webs, bread, chocolate, dirty socks

Show the 5 Sections

Name and Physical Traits

Behaviors

Location and Food

Predators

Conclusion/Warning

As mentioned in my writing prompts introduction: K-1^st Graders are encouraged to write 1 sentence for each section, 2^nd Graders 2 sentences, 3^rd Graders 3 sentences and so on.

NOW TO WRITE!

Hook the reader with a question: Have you ever heard of a ___________?
Name your insect and describe how it looks.
Write about its behaviors.
Next, write about where it lives and what it eats.
Then, write about its predators.
Write a conclusion that warns the reader to watch out for this insect. So watch out for a ________ whenever you ….