Butterflies are Free!

(Grades 1 – 2)

By: Dena Johnston

 

 

Overview | Introduction | Tasks | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | References | Teacher Information

                              

Overview

 

This lesson is about the life cycle of the butterfly.  The content areas that will be used in this lesson are science and art. The grade level is 1st and 2nd grades.

 

Introduction

 

Have you ever wondered how an ugly caterpillar could turn into a beautiful butterfly?  Let’s look at the life cycle of the caterpillar/butterfly to find out.

 

Tasks

 

 You will have two tasks to complete.  Imagine yourself as a caterpillar.  Your life is about to drastically change.

               

1.    If you could talk to humans, how would you show them the process of turning into a butterfly?

 

2.    How would you design a poster of the butterfly you turned into?

 

 

Process

 

With the help of your teacher, you will learn to search the Internet to gather information for your tasks.

 

·    You will start this unit by working on a KWL chart activity.

 

·    You will learn about metamorphosis, the butterfly’s life cycle.

 

·    You will make a poster of the butterfly’s life cycle.

 

·    You will observe different kinds of butterflies on the Internet.

 

·    You will paint a watercolor poster of the butterfly you turned out to be.

 

 

Evaluation

 

You will be able to identify a caterpillar and a butterfly.

You will illustrate and label in sequence the stages of the butterfly life cycle.

You will be able to state the differences of a caterpillar and a butterfly.

You will be able to create a watercolor of a butterfly.

 

Conclusion

 

By the time you finish this unit you will understand metamorphosis and be able to illustrate and identify the four stages of the butterfly life cycle.  You will be more aware of the living things in your environment.

 

 

                    Butterflies

                                     KWL  CHART

 

What I know                 What I Want to Learn                 What I Have Learned

 

 

References:

 

 

Fischer, A., & Fischer, H. (1995). Life of the butterfly. New York: Carolrhoda.

 

Crowson, S. (2000). Butterflies. Retrieved  March, 16, 2003,

from http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/lvelem/butterflies.

 

Wauer-Ferus, L., (2003). BillyBear4Kids.com.

 Retrieved March 24, 2003, from http://www.billybear4kids.com and http://www.billybear4kids.com/butterfly/flutter-fun.html.

 

Collins, C. (2002). Animal life cycles. Retrieved  March 16, 2003,

from http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/WebQuest/cycles/index.htm.

 

Hamilton County Board of Education. (2003). Elementary level standards & benchmarks.

Retrieved, March 24, 2003, from http://www.hcde.org/standards/stindex.html.

 

 

Teacher Information

 

Standards and benchmarks used are as follows:

2.1.3        Recognize growth cycles of living things.

 

The purpose of this WebQuest is to inform students of the aspects of the life cycle of the butterfly.  The students will study the metamorphosis of the caterpillar to the butterfly.  

 

The children will view the life cycle of the butterfly.  They will complete a watercolor of  a butterfly of their own creation.

 

The WebQuest should give children a better understanding of the life cycle of a butterfly. They will understand the magnificent change that takes place to the caterpillar. They will understand that in nature nothing stays the same.

 

The WebQuest could be expanded to cover other insects.  The children could broaden their knowledge of insects and come to a better understanding of why nature is so important.