🦟 Cicada Unit Study

🦟 Cicada Unit Study | Original Watercolor Art | 16 Printable Activities for Ages 2–10
Hear that buzzing in the trees? That's cicada season calling — and this Cicada Unit Study turns the backyard soundtrack of summer into a complete, multi-subject learning adventure your kids will love.
With 16 beautifully illustrated printable activities spanning science, reading, math, literacy, art, and music, this unit study takes a single fascinating insect and explores it from every angle — life cycle, anatomy, sound science, predators, and even how to build your own cicada-inspired musical instrument.
What sets this unit study apart?
Every page features
original hand-painted watercolor artwork
of a Texas-native cicada species — the same stunning art quality you'll find in our Moon and Fall bundles. You'll see the adult cicada in brilliant greens and golds, the translucent nymph shell in delicate tans, and even the eggs on their woody branch. This is not clip art. This is real art that makes learning feel like an experience, not a worksheet.
But the real magic is in the depth. Your little entomologist won't just learn
what
a cicada looks like — they'll discover
why
cicadas molt (exoskeletons!),
who
eats them (everyone, apparently),
why
they lay hundreds of eggs, and
how
male cicadas produce their incredible sound using tymbal organs that vibrate up to 480 times per second. Then they'll take that science knowledge and
build their own Cicada Guitar
— a hands-on STEM craft using popsicle sticks and rubber bands that teaches resonance, vibration, and sound in a way kids never forget.
The
8 Cicada Fact File Cards
are packed with advanced science that keeps older kids engaged too — from the periodical Magicicada (which only emerges every 13 or 17 years!) to the Empress Cicada of Malaysia with an 8-inch wingspan, to the Cicada Hunter Wasps that paralyze their prey. And the
Advanced Cicada Vocabulary Extension
introduces real scientific terms like Arthropoda, Phylum, Periodicity, Xylem, and Resonance — perfect for stretching curious minds.
What makes this unit study special:
🎨
Original watercolor artwork throughout
— Hand-painted Texas-native cicada species on every page. No clip art anywhere.
🎸
Cicada Guitar Musical Craft
— A hands-on STEM project that connects cicada tymbal science to music, sound, and vibration
📊
8 Fact File Cards
— Real science including Magicicada periodicity, the loudest insect on record, and Cicada Hunter Wasps
🔬
Life cycle explored 3 ways
— Illustrated poster, fill-in cards, and multi-size cut-out coins
📖
Science-rich reading activities
— Why cicadas molt, predator food chains, egg-laying survival strategies, and the physics of sound
🧠
Advanced Vocabulary Extension
— 2 pages of scientific terms that stretch learning well beyond preschool (Arthropoda, Phylum, Chelicerates, Xylem, Exoskeleton, and more)
✏️
Print AND Cursive handwriting
— Both styles included, plus a Let's Spell activity
🎨
2 Coloring Pages
— Adult cicada and nymph, hand-drawn from the original watercolor art
📋
Curated resources page
— Book recommendations, videos, and hands-on product suggestions to extend the learning
The 16 Activities:
Cicada Lifecycle Poster (simple + detailed labeled versions)
Cicada Lifecycle Cards (fill-in activity)
Cicada Lifecycle Circle Cut-Outs (3 sizes + letter coins)
Parts of a Cicada Diagram (labeled watercolor)
(8) Cicada Fact File Cards
3 Reading Activities
Cc Handwriting Practice (Print)
Cc Handwriting Practice (Cursive)
Let's Spell Cicada
Advanced Cicada Vocabulary Extension
Cicada Counting Puzzle (1–10)
8.5x11" Cicada Art Print
Cicada Print
(2) Coloring Pages
Cicada Guitar Musical Craft
Cicada Unit Resources
Also Included:
Cover Page
— Beautiful watercolor cover for the complete unit
Regional Note
— The species depicted is native to Texas, but there are over 3,000 species worldwide! Your cicadas may look different — and that's part of the adventure.
"Hi Mom!" Letter
— A personal note from Liza about how her own family uses these activities
Who It's For:
This unit study works beautifully across a wide age range. Little ones (ages 2–4) will love the coloring pages, counting puzzle, art print, and cut-out coins. Preschoolers and kindergartners (ages 4–6) will dive into the life cycle activities, handwriting practice, spelling, and reading activities. And older kids (ages 6–10) will be fascinated by the fact file cards, advanced vocabulary, sound science, and the Cicada Guitar STEM craft. It's designed so big kids can read to little ones, everyone can color together, and there's truly no "right" way to use it.
Perfect for Montessori and Charlotte Mason homeschool families, nature study co-ops, preschool through elementary classrooms, summer learning programs, science centers, and morning tubs.
How It Works:
Purchase and download instantly
Print the activities you need (unlimited prints!)
Grab some crayons, scissors, popsicle sticks, and rubber bands — and start exploring!
No shipping wait. No subscription. Just download, print, and discover the incredible world of cicadas!
____________________________________________

Digital download. No product will be shipped.

Download is a high-quality PDF ready to print. Color print recommended. Some files arrive zipped — right-click (or use your Files app) to unzip/extract.

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Featuring original artwork by Liza Dora. Materials may not be duplicated, distributed, or sold without express written permission from Liza Dora Books. Licensed for personal / household or single-classroom use (including one daycare group). For multi-classroom, school-wide, or district licensing, see /schools or email schools@lizadorabooks.com.