Here they come!!! It’s actually their first time to visit AMICUS…. it’s the silkworms!!
Of course, we do see various reactions (“pros” and “cons”), simply because of their appearance, as well as the peculiar smell of their food.
But hey, it doesn’t take very long to get used to them… especially the students, who got very comfortable with the idea in a split second!!
We even allow the worms to crawl on our arms.
They feed on mulberry leaves, processed into a sausage-like paste. We must avoid feeding them naturally harvested mulberry leaves that grow out in the wild, or along the street, since there’s a higher risk of potential insecticides… which would kill the silkworm in an instant!
Each class maintains its own box of silkworms… students take turns checking on them, and keeping records.
Our school emphasizes the importance of caring for life, within the context of its habitat… i.e., the surrounding nature around us. Now that the silkworms are the only ones of their kind to be fully domesticated, their survival depends on our caring hands. Our students learn how to responsibly care for these animals.
Furthermore, they will learn more in-depth about the metamorphosis of butterflies as they advance to the upper grades, and this should be a good introduction. Cocoons may even be used in Art class, to make finger puppets.
Silkworms are the all-stars of Japanese elementary educational activities for years and years!!