Grandma’s Opening Question: “When I was your age, you couldn’t see the back fence at night in June. Now I can. Why do you think that changed?”
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever seen fireflies? Where? Do you see as many as you used to?
- Fireflies need dark nights, damp ground, and tall grass. Which of those three have we changed the most in North Louisiana backyards?
- If a streetlight shines into a yard all night, how might that confuse a firefly? Why does that matter?
- Firefly larvae live underground for up to two years before they flash. What happens to them when someone sprays the lawn?
- What could one family do, starting this weekend, that might help fireflies come back to their yard?
- Is it possible to care about fireflies and still want a nice yard? What would that look like?
Teacher Notes
This works best in late spring, when firefly season is still fresh in memory. The last question is the most important. It surfaces the tension between human comfort and wildlife habitat without guilt. Actionable follow-ups: turn off outdoor lights after 10pm in June, let a patch of grass grow longer, and reduce pesticide use near damp areas.
