Have you ever wondered, “Where do ladybugs come from?” In this free lesson, elementary schoolchildren learn all about ladybugs as they listen to Eric Carle’s The Grouchy Ladybug. In a discussion following the story, students learn about how the ladybug is really named for the Blessed Mother, who sent ladybugs to help Medieval peasants by keeping their crops free of other insects and pests. The peasants knew that Our Lady had answered their unceasing prayers when the industrious little red bugs appeared, so they named the bugs as Mary’s red army of warriors—ladybugs.
Children also learn about how we can be warriors for Our Lady and pray for the protection of all preborn babies. Children make a ladybug craft, learn about the rosary, and pray a prayer of spiritual adoption for a preborn baby.Throughout the lesson, we have provided links and ideas for how to turn this educational opportunity into a children’s party with a special focus on Our Lady, the rosary, and spiritual adoption. This lesson is a great way to introduce even very young children to the concept of spiritual adoption and praying for preborn babies by reminding them that they too can be warriors for Our Lady.
Teacher notes, discussion points, crafts instructions, and a template for the spiritual adoption activity are all included with this free download. The craft is simple and suitable enough for young children.
Special thanks to
Natasia Kissinger for contributing to this lesson.
Click here to download Ladybug Warriors free lesson!
Some of our favorite bloggers took the opportunity to teach their children how to stand up in defense of life, using the Ladybug Warriors free lesson:
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