- Search for a roly-poly
Roly-poly is just one name for small, gray crustaceans that live in leaf litter, under old boards, and rocks. Some people call them pill bugs, others call them slaters. They look like tiny armadillos! Searching for them is relatively easy, especially when the ground is moist. They can actually be kept as pets if you would like. Look in moist soil – under leaves, a rock, or a board. When you find some examine them closely, using a magnifying glass helps you see the details.
Internet links to help you:
11 interesting facts about “slaters”
Books
Next Time You See a Pill Bug by Emily Morgan – A part of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) series.
The Pillbug Project: A Guide to Investigation by Robin Burnett – Contains activities to investigate roly-polies and pill bugs for ten days.
Hank’s Big Day: The Story of a Bug by Evan Kuhlman & Chuck Groenink
Around One Log: Chipmunks, Spiders, and Creepy Insiders by Anthony D. Fredericks
52 Things Outside 