'Pastatively Butterflies'

Summary

This lesson will invite the students to view and learn about the life cycle of a butterfly using pasta noodles and the internet.

Materials

paper plates; internet access; various pictures of butterflies and catipillars; pasta noodles as discussed below; elmers glue; crayons; pencils and/or markers;

Background for Teachers

Review the characteristics of a butterfly and caterpillar. Review the life cycle of a butterfly. You may also want to review the characteristics of an insect.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to correctly identify the various stages a caterpillar progresses through to become a butterfly.

Instructional Procedures

Introduce the students to the lesson by showing them pictures of different kinds of butterflies. Say to the students, 'Today we will be learning about butterflies, and how they come to be butterflies'.See the butterfly links below for web sites containing butterfly images. Have the students go to the website hhtp://museon.museon.nl/objextra.eng/metamorf.html Discuss with the students that butterflies are insects and go through a process of metamorphis to become a butterfly. Discuss with the students the life cycle of a butterfly. The stages begin with a larvae which hatches into a caterpillar. Discuss with the students how the larvae which hatched becomes a caterpillar and the caterpillar then spins a cocoon, or chrysalis. Discuss with the students the way the butterfly hatches from the chrysalis.

Extensions

Read the book Charlie and the Caterpillar by Dom Deluise, and discuss the stages that Charlie goes through to become a beautiful butterfly. Use the following various pasta noodles to represent the life cycle of a butterfly. Have the students glue the various pasta on a paper plate and label each stage of the life cycle. Acini Pepe pasta - use for the larvae; Rotelle pasta - use for the caterpillar; Large sea shell pasta - use for the chrysalis; Bow tie pasta - use for the butterfly;

Assessment Plan

Students will successfully be able to complete the life cycle of a butterfly using the pasta noodles and a paper plate. Students could also investigate how to raise butterflies. Try this if possible.