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Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

Elementary Science Ideas, Lessons, and Resources

Teaching About Life Cycle of a Butterfly

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Students love watching the process of a caterpillar turning into a chrysalis and then hatching as a butterfly!   It is a fascinating process to watch!  

I usually order my butterfly larva from Carolina Biological Supply Company.  The ship the critters quickly and will let you know if the species you order can be released in your area.  (We do not want to release an invasive species).


Even young children can observe and record their observations.  We begin our observations while the insects are in their larva stage. This is a painted lady butterfly caterpillar or larva.

The caterpillars will feed on the food they come with and they will molt several times while they are growing.  
The students can record their daily observations in a butterfly observation book 
Soon the larva climb to the top of the jar and hang upside down in a J shape.  
This means the larva is about to shed for the last time.  A chrysalis will be revealed with the last molt. 
When the larva have all changed into the chrysalises, they cloth covering the top of the container can be removed and attached inside the habitat. 
The chrysalis will hatch in about 7-10 days and a painted lady adult butterfly will emerge.   The insect will need several hours to un wrinkle and dry their wings. 
If painted lady butterflies are native to your area, you can release them and they will do just fine.  Make sure it is a moderately warm day.
I like to have Kindergarten and other young students practice the concepts surrounding life cycle of a butterfly with centers.  
These centers can be purchased as a bundle or individually.
 For the older students studying butterflies, I like to use a CLOSE reading activity along with a nonfiction article on the life cycle of a butterfly. 
Butterflies are also excellent pollinators.  You can read more about butterflies and how important they are to pollination in my blog post Citizen Science and Monarch Butterflies
Check out my other great resources at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lynda-R-Williams

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    As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.

     
    Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4

    Sharon M

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    5
    2016-05-03T18:24:44-06:00

    Sharon M

    As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.   Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4
    Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.

     
    Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning

    Expedition Fourth

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    2020-11-03T20:44:55-07:00

    Expedition Fourth

    Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.   Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning
    My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.

     
    Compare and Contrast Two Texts on Reindeer

    Heidi J

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    2020-11-03T20:45:49-07:00

    Heidi J

    My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.   Compare and Contrast Two Texts on Reindeer
    I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!

     
    Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit

    Tina S

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    5
    2016-05-03T18:05:39-06:00

    Tina S

    I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!   Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit
    The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!

     
    Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2

    Richard S

    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
    5
    2016-05-03T18:07:52-06:00

    Richard S

    The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!   Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2
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    Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

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