Every week young illustrators will have the opportunity to sketch along with me as we observe new insects through microscope visuals. This is an opportunity for students to sit down to observe and inquire about animals that are generally overlooked. We will be using my teaching collection for our models. Each class will start with a quick summary of what insect we are drawing today and where you can find them. We do not focus on this, but I find that it is important for students to know a little about the insect before we start. 

I encourage a sketchbook for this on-going class. This way, learners will be able to keep their sketches together and see their progress each week. I teach sketching with a pencil lightly first and then going over our final lines with a pen or fine-point sharpie. At a minimum, students will need an unlined piece of paper and a pencil.  

The list of model insects can be found below. This list may be subject to change. If a student would like to request a certain insect, I am okay with pushing the schedule off a week if I have that specimen in my teaching collection.

Insects Covered

January
Week of 16th: Honey Bee
Week of 23rd: Firefly
Week of 30th: Luna Moth

February
Week of 6th: Blister Beetle
Week of 13th: Crane Fly
Week of 20th: Ant
Week of 27th: Dung Beetle

March
Week of 6th: House Fly
Week of 13th: Longhorn Beetle
Week of 20th: Grasshopper
Week of 27th: Paper Wasp

April
Week of 3rd: Click Beetle
Week of 10th: Cicada
Week of 17th: Leafcutter Bee
Week of 24th: Jerusalem Cricket

May
Week of 1st: Soldier Beetle
Week of 8th: Stink Bug
Week of 15th: Mantisfly
Week of 22nd: Tortoise Beetle
Week of 29th: Glorious Jewel Scarab

June
Week of 5th: Cockroach
Week of 12th: Treehopper
Week of 19th: Velvet Ant
Week of 26th: Sphinx Moths

July
Week of 3rd: Praying Mantids
Week of 10th: Ant Lions
Week of 17th: Stoneflies
Week of 24th: Week Off
Week of 31st: Ladybug

August
Week of 7th: Bess Beetles
Week of 14th: Velvet Worms
Week of 21st: Ground Beetles
Week of 28th: Jewel Beetles

September
Week of 4th: Stink Bugs
Week of 11th: Webspinners
Week of 18th: Evaniid Wasps
Week of 25th: Walking Sticks

October
Week of 2nd: Mayflies
Week of 9th: Giant Water Bugs
Week of 16th: Lace Bugs
Week of 23rd: Stoneflies
Week of 30th: Fungus Beetles

November
Week of 6th: Dobsonflies
Week of 13th: Brush-footed Butterflies
Week of 20th: Robber Flies
Week of 27th: Bombardier Beetles

December
Week of 4th: Flower Flies
Week of 11th: Tiger Moths
Week of 18th: Assassin Bugs
Week of 25th: End of Year Bug Party!!