Spider STEM Activities & Technology Lessons

Add a little bit of spookiness with these spider STEM activities. These lessons not only compliment fall lesson plans, but even units that correlate with other creepy, crawling units. Check out these variety of ideas to add into your classroom!

*There are Amazon affiliate links in this post. When you purchase through my link, no extra cost to you but I get a kick-back in return. Thank you for your support! 

 

Spider STEM Activities #1: Spider Pulleys

Help students learn about structure and design by building a pulley to pull the spider up the web.

Students will go through the Engineering Design Process to accomplish this challenge.

lWhen trying this with my K-5 STEM classes, I used:

• LEGO bricks
• plastic spider rings
• yarn
• pencils

Click here to get this challenge for your class!

 

Spider STEM Activities #2: Spider Life Cycle Coding

Teaching the life cycle of living objects is always fascinating. Why not make it even more fun by adding in an element of coding?

Help student solidify their new vocabulary by coding the life cycle of a spider by using robots.

Not sure which robots to use? Check out my robot recommendation list here!

There are 3 ways to try this coding challenge once the cards are printed out and laid out on a grid:

1. Teacher lays out the cards on the mat and students code the life cycle in order
2. Pair up students. Partner A lays the cards on the mat, Parter B codes in order. Then switch!
3. Same as above, but code the life cycle backwards.
4. Print & create the dice included ahead of time. Roll the dice and students code the robot to that location. Try adding in two dice for an extra challenge!

Click here to get this challenge for your class!

 

Spider STEM Activities #3: Spider Science Foldable Books

Integrate the theme of spiders in your literacy instruction! There are 3 interactive, foldable books for students to learn more about these arachnids.

• The Spider Life Cycle
• What is a Spider?
• Fun Spider Facts

As students read, they will have a task on each page to help solidify their comprehension and vocabulary development. There are digital options as well, including pre-made Seesaw Activities, that can make using this lesson even easier.

I even added audio for every page to help support students and while learning new vocabulary.

Click here to get this lesson for your class! 

Spider STEM Activities #4: Spider Digital Interactive Notebook

Help students’ build their online literacy skills by trying a digital interactive notebook for the week. I typically use these with 3rd grade and up since these types of lessons have a lot of multi-step directions.

Students will learn and respond about spiders from a variety of resources. All of the sources are linked within the entire notebook. No need to search for resources on your own!

Tasks include:

• Before exploration reflection
• Vocabulary
• Videos
• Photograph Observations
• Individual Articles
• Paired Selections & Comparison
• Reading & labeling a Diagram
• Map & Noticings
• Podcast & Reflection
• Digital Creation

Click here to get this lesson for your class!

 

Spider STEM Activities #5: Halloween Engineer Inspiration Board

Enhance your STEM & Makerspace stations with this student Engineer Inspiration Board. Use this board to inspire young engineers to build various things that represent Halloween.

Using any materials on hand, students have the opportunity to build:

• cauldron
• monster
• candy
• spider
• candy bucket
• ghost
• witch hat
• haunted house
• pumpkin

 

This is a way to inspire students to be creative and imagine new solutions to design these items. Step-by-step directions are not included to tell students how to build each one.

As a bonus, planning, improving and sharing pages are included to help introduce the Engineering Design Process.

Click here to grab this challenge for your class!

Other blog posts you might be interested in:

Fall STEM Activities by Innovative Teacher Podcast

Pumpkin STEM Activities & Technology Lessons by Naomi Meredith

Best Robots for Kids for STEM & Technology Lessons by Naomi Meredith

How to Use a Digital Interactive Notebook in the Classroom by Naomi Meredith

 

Have you tried spider themed activities your classroom? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!