Cicada Killing Wasp

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs! They are everywhere. Some are more pesty than others, but they all have their purpose here on this earth. Isn't it wonderful how God designed everything to work together to balance things out?






There are times we need to balance out our school year by taking a break from our regular curriculum with a unit study. A unit study is when you take one topic and study about it while you incorporate all your subjects. This time we used the Cicada-Killing Wasp Unit from The Curiosity Files, available from The Old Schoolhouse Store.

The UNL Extension Horticulture website says that the Cicada Killing Wasp is the largest wasp species in Nebraska. I find that very interesting since I have never heard of them, so I learned right along with my kids on this one.

We learned the characteristics of these wasps, what they are good for, how to find them, what they eat, how long they live, what their enemies are, and so much more. We are really looking forward to the rise in temperature and the snow melting so we can get outside to complete the lab portion of this study.


This unit contains 88 colorful pages in a PDF form to be viewed or printed with Adobe Reader. It is recommended for ages 8 to 13 and up. I used it with my 6, 8, and 9 year olds & I would be the "up", because I also learned from this study. We covered all of the following subjects:

• Bible
• Math
• History
• Geography
• Literature (with a book list)
• Writing- focusing on essay writing and commas.
• Spelling & Vocabulary
• Copywork - to help our penmanship
• Science
• Art- crafts, coloring pages, and a snack recipe

There are also:

• Discussion questions
• Fun activities and games
• Lapbook/notebook pages with links
• Internet resources and video links
• Special needs
• Answer key

You can view a sample here.

Are your kids curious about the world around them? Professor Ana Lyze the character from The Curiosity Files will help keep them busy with 9 titles in the series. Her research team specializes in the bizarre to help educate your children about subjects you may never think of. You can get The Curiosity Files™- 9 Pack Bundle CD for $49.00. You can also buy them as an ebook for immediate download for $46.00. The titles are available individually, but the prices vary from time to time with all the sales they offer at The Old Schoolhouse Store.



The other 8 Curiosity Files are:

• Blue Diamond
• Dung Beetle
• MRSA
• Puffer Fish
• Red Tide
• Zombie Fire Ants
• Blue-Footed Booby
• Quicksand

We are looking forward to completeing more of these units, I have already purchased MRSA, the Red Tide, and Dung Bettle. The members of TOS Crew reviewed different titles from The Curiosity Files, so head on over and see what was said about some of the others.

As a member of TOS Crew I received the Cicada Killing Wasp Unit to use with my children free in exchange for my review of the item.