Mrs. Gillespie's Desk



The Butterfly Life Cycle

Grade Level: Third Grade

Ohio Academic Standard: Plants and animals have life cycles that are part of their adaptations for survival in their natural environment.

National Science Education Standard: Plants and animals have life cycles that include being born, developing into adults, reproducing, and eventually dying. The details of this life cycle are different for different organisms.

Key Concept: With this lesson, I hope to target the big idea of animal life cycles, specifically animals that transform as part of their life cycle, like the butterfly.

Generalization: Students will be able to describe the life cycle of the butterfly. Students will be able to name each step in the life cycle and describe characteristics of each step.

Necessary Background: Students should have a basic understanding of what a butterfly is and some characteristics of the butterfly.

Materials Necessary:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Wipe board and dry erase markers

Venn diagram handout for each student

small green pom poms

one tongue depressor for each student

one small paper lunch sack for each student

glue for each student

copy of song lyrics

document camera

minimum of one computer for student use

books of caterpillars and butterflies

pictures of caterpillars and butterflies

Instructional Procedures:

Read the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle to the students. Although students can read this book themselves, ask questions during the book to spark discussion. After reading the book, discuss with students the four stages of the butterfly life cycle. Write the following words on the wipe board and define/discuss with students: caterpillar, cocoon, chrysalis, pupa, and butterfly.

Divide students into groups of 2-4 students each. Give each student a Venn diagram handout (attached). Instruct students to label one circle with caterpillar and the other cirlce with butterfly. Explain to students that they need to find similarities and differences between caterpillars and butterflies. Offer multiple aides for students to use to find information, including computers, books, and pictures.

After students finish their Venn diagrams, give each student the following supplies: handful of green pom poms, one tongue depressor, and one brown paper lunch bag. Instruct students to glue their pom poms to the tongue depressor to represent the caterpillar. Model for students how to twist the top of the brown paper bag to represent the chrysalis.

After all students have finished their Venn diagram and caterpillar/chrysalis art project, bring entire class together to sing some butterfly songs together. Place the lyrics to the songs on the document projector for students to see in order for them to sing along with you. (The lyrics are attached.)

Model for students how to roll themselves into a ball. Tell students that they are now caterpillars. If there is enough room, instruct students to roll back and forth to spin their cocoon. Give students a minute to have fun with this and then instruct students to stand up and stretch out their arms as they break out of their cocoon to becomes butterflies.

You may wish to end this lesson with a You Tube video that shows students how the butterfly life cycle occurs. Here are some options:







Assessment: Students will turn in their Venn diagrams as one form of assessment. In addition, students will be asked to complete at least three activities from a dice of their choice the following day (attached). Lastly, a summative assessment will be conducted at the end of the life cycle unit to gather information on what the students understand.

Butterfly Songs

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Song

(sung to the tune of 10 Little Indians)

 

On Sunday, 1 little egg, on Sunday 1 little egg, on Sunday 1 little egg, out comes a caterpillar.

On Monday, 1 red apple, on Monday 1 red apple, on Monday 1 red apple, that’s what the caterpillar eats.

On Tuesday, 2 yellow pears, on Tuesday 2 yellow pears, on Tuesday 2 yellow pears, that’s what the caterpillar eats.

On Wednesday, 3 purple plums, on Wednesday 3 purple plums, on Wednesday 3 purple plums, that’s what the caterpillar eats.

On Thursday, 4 red strawberries, on Thursday, 4 red strawberries, on Thursday, 4 red strawberries, that’s what the caterpillar eats.

On Friday, 5 oranges, on Friday 5 oranges, on Friday 5 oranges, that’s what the caterpillar eats.

On Saturday, too much food, on Saturday, too much food, on Saturday, too much food, that’s what the caterpillar eats.

On Sunday, 1 green leaf, on Sunday, 1 green leaf, on Sunday, 1 green leaf, that’s what the caterpillar eats.

In his cocoon, he goes to sleep, in his cocoon, he goes to sleep, in his cocoon, he goes to sleep, that’s what the caterpillar does.

Out comes a butterfly, out comes a butterfly, out comes a butterfly, isn’t that a great surprise!

There's a tiny caterpillar on a leaf, wiggle, wiggle, 

There's a tiny caterpillar on a leaf, wiggle, wiggle, 

There's a tiny caterpillar, a tiny caterpillar, a tiny caterpillar on a leaf, wiggle, wiggle. (children do wiggling action for this verse) 

There's a big fat caterpillar on a leaf, munch, munch, etc (munching action) 

There's a pretty butterfly on a leaf, flutter, flutter, etc (fluttering action)

The Little Caterpillar

(Sung to Itsy, Bitsy Spider)

The little caterpillar crawled up into a tree, 

Spun his cocoon and slept so quietly, 

All through the winter he didn't make a sound, 

He dreamt of his new life when he'd be flying all around. 

While he was sleeping the snow did gently fall, 

Winter came and went, then her heard the robin's call, 

"Come on Mr. Butterfly, out of your cocoon 

Spread your wings and fly for me, while I sing my tune.

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