In Ladybug's garden, everything is relative. Who's big? Bigger? Biggest? Long, longer, longest? Short, shorter, shortest? Line up! It's time for the best bug parade of all.
Comparing sizes is a simple form of classification and is necessary for the development of measurement skills.
Illustrated by Holly Keller
Read the story with your child (or students) and describe what is going on in each picture. Ask questions throughout the story, such as "Do the bugs look the same or different?" and "How do they look different?"
Together with your child (or students), draw and color some of your own imaginary bugs. Then cut them out and help your child to arrange them in order of size. Line them up for your own best bug parade!
Look around and take note of family members, pets, furniture, plates, flowers, everything! Discuss size relationships. "Who—or what—is bigger?" "Smallest?" Extend the concept by asking questions such as "Who is older?" "Who is youngest?" "Which is darker?" "What is lightest?"
Nature Walk: Go for a walk with your child (or students) in a nearby park and bring along a tape measure or ruler. Measure and compare plants. “Which is taller?” “Which has wider leaves?” “Which has the smallest flower?”
