We were visited at lunch today by a beautiful green junebug. He just sat on the window sill, enjoying the sun behind the seat that belonged to our youngest.

I took the opportunity to give her a lesson on identification.

First, I just let her reasoning process identify aspects about the beetle that she herself thought were important. "Can you memorize enough about him to identify him after lunch, sweetheart?"

After she studied him closely for a while, I started asking questions that are critical for identifying plants and animals. In this case, for identifying a beetle.

• What color is he?


• How long is he?


• Are his mandibles large or small?


• What color are his legs?

It was an enjoyable exercise. She carefully studied the beetle and answered my questions.

In the end, she had learned, not only what this insect was, but also a basic system for identification. What many people would have considered an unwelcomed guest at their lunch table, turned into a teachable moment.