First class butterflies

This is an integrated unit on raising and releasing Painted Lady butterflies. Students will learn that technology is very useful in obtaining and sharing information about butterflies via the internet.

A lesson plan for grade 1 English Language Arts, Information Skills, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies

By Brenda Murray

Learn more

• NCWiseOwl a North Carolina educational resource to be used in the lesson

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• HyperStudio animal project: Students will create a multimedia project on an animal of their choice using the HyperStudio program.

Related topics

• Learn more about biology and life science, computer/technology skills, education technology, and science.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• become familiar with butterfly metamorphosis
• observe and print butterfly information via the internet
• learn that technology is a means of gathering, sharing, and communicating information
• become familiar with symmetry
• write about raising and releasing butterflies
• increase their vocabulary

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

2 weeks

Materials/resources

• paper
• pencil
• butterfly larvae
• butterfly pavilion (or house)
• several magnifying glasses
• books about butterflies
• big book A Butterfly Is Born

Technology resources

• computer with internet access
• printer
• AverKey (a component of PowerPoint, you can still be successful without this)
• digital camera (or regular camera)
• Kid Pix Software (for creating pictures which can be printed)

Pre-activities

• Purchase butterfly larvae
• Set up a “Butterfly Center.” Display a variety of pictures and books from the library. Make an outline of a butterfly on a piece of tagboard to be used as a chart for writing butterfly facts or listing words to be used for shared and independent writing.
• Take a picture walk through the big book A Butterfly Is Born, or any good book to help them become more familiar with the metamorphic process.

Activities

Activity 1: Observation and shared writing

Butterfly larvae arrive. Children will observe caterpillars. Take pictures during this time. Help them make comparisons such as “wow they’re as small as your pencil lead.” Listen for their questions. Most of these can be answered from the information that comes with the larvae. Next, let the students smell the food in the container. Stress how important it is for the container to remain still so metamorphosis can take place. Re-read big book A Butterfly Is Born. Make a list of descriptive words on the butterfly chart. Model shared writing with group.

Activity 2: The four stages of butterfly metamorphosis

Students watch as the teacher uses the internet to contact NCWiseowl printout page of the lifecycle of the butterfly. Add this title to your bookmarks. Teach the students how to use bookmark to go to this site, and how to print the page. You make one copy to display in the butterfly center, and let the students make one for each co-operative group.

Activity 3: Answering questions about butterflies

After a few days the students will notice little balls forming in the container. They will ask (or you may) “What is that?” Now is the time to use the internet to contact Coal Creek Elementary. This elementary school has acquired a grant for the study of butterflies. Use the AverKey to show their study on your TV screen. Your question will be answered, plus you will view a lot of other delightful child-made activities and information. Remember to take pictures often. Try to capture the changes taking place.

Activity 4: Communicating via E-Mail

E-mail Coal Creek Elementary to let them know how much you enjoyed their site. Discuss good character skills with the class. It’s nice to tell someone you liked their work. It makes us feel good about ourselves.

Activity 5: Gathering information via the internet

Revisit NCWiseOwl. Go to the “Reference Zone” to “Yahooligans” website for kids. Then type in “painted lady butterfly.” You will get answers to one-hundred common questions about raising butterflies. This site also has Painted Lady color guides, a butterfly book the children can make, and more!

Activity 6: What is symmetry?

Explain symmetry, showing some examples. Divide the class into small groups and let them use Kid-Pix to create butterfly pictures. Print these pictures and have each group write about them.

Activity 7: Write about what we have learned!

Take pictures often! Try to capture the changes. Print these and display them in the butterfly center. They may be used for journal writing or each group may write about them. Later, save these in plastic sleeves in a notebook. Display the notebook in the room with other browsing books. The kids will enjoy looking at it over and over. It’s great for building vocabulary skills.

Assessment

The teacher can assess the students each day by listening as they observe changes that are taking place or by asking specific questions. They can also be assessed by their writings.

Supplemental information

Larvae may be obtained by calling 1-800-698-4438 or through Earth’s Birthday Project, which also sells pavilions

Additional resources can be acquired through:

Thematic Unit BUGS (reproducible, early childhood)
Teacher Created Material, Inc. (available at school supply stores) Volume:TCM 2620, ISBN# 1-57690-620-5

The Best Of The MAILBOX Theme Series
Insects, Primary, Volume: TEC3192

Comments

This lesson can easily be adapted for any K–3 classroom. There’s lots of butterfly information available on the internet for all ages it just takes surfing to find it. Raising butterflies is quick, easy, and lots of fun. Just try it!