Materials Needed:

Praying mantis egg case (available online or at garden centers)
A ventilated clear container or mesh insect habitat
Small twigs or branches for mantises to climb on
Spray bottle with water
Magnifying glasses (optional)

Directions:

Prepare the Habitat: Place the egg case inside a ventilated container or insect habitat with small twigs for the baby mantises to climb on. Keep the habitat indoors at room temperature or outdoors in a warm, sheltered area.
Observe and Wait: It may take a few weeks for the egg case to hatch. Check daily and mist lightly with water to maintain humidity.
Watch the Hatching: When the mantises emerge, they will look like tiny versions of adults. Encourage children to observe closely with magnifying glasses. (Note: If the holes in your observation container are large, the baby mantises may be able to escape so be aware!)
Discussion Time: Talk about what the preschoolers see. How many mantises hatched? How do they move? Why do they need to climb?
Release the Mantises: After observing for a short time, take the habitat outside and release the baby mantises into a garden or natural area.

Teacher Tips for Differentiated Instruction:

Visual Learners: Use magnifying glasses and picture books about insects to reinforce the lesson.
Hands-On Learners: Let preschoolers carefully mist the egg case and observe changes daily.
Verbal Learners: Encourage preschoolers to describe what they see and ask open-ended questions about the process.
Sensory-Sensitive Learners: Provide an option to observe from a distance using a clear container instead of direct handling.
Extension Activity: Draw or chart observations over time to connect with early literacy and science skills

Suggestions for Assessment:
Ask preschoolers to describe what they saw and how the mantises changed.
Drawing & Labeling: Have preschoolers draw what they observed and label basic parts (egg case, mantis).
Sequencing Activity: Provide picture cards or let preschoolers retell the hatching process in order.
Questioning: Prompt preschoolers with questions like “What did the mantises look like when they first hatched?” or “Why do you think they climb as soon as they come out?”