Grade Level: First Grade

Objectives: Students will investigate the life cycle of a butterfly using the live butterfly kits in the classroom, information provided from the internet, and teacher made activities.

Materials:
Live butterfly kit. Students will need access to a computer connected to the internet.
Smartboard

Procedures:

1. Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar on the smartboard
2. Look at various pictures of caterpillars and butterflies.
3. Observe the butterfly garden daily.
4. Go to websites to see stages in color.
5. Construct a diagram of the life cycle. Activity

Internet Sites:
www.mesc.usgs.gov/resources/education/butterfly/bfly_start.asp
www.monarchbutterfly.org/activities.htm
www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfly/cycle/index.htmlx
www.hhmi.org/coolscience/butterfly/

Student Web Work Procedure

The teacher will use a smart board and students will be in groups of 2 or 3 at computers to follow with the teacher. Students will not complete the assignments on their own.

Outcome:

Students develop understanding that:
-organisms reproduce offspring of their own kind and resemble parents and one another
-sequential stages of life cycles are different for different animals
-will be able to identify and describe each stage (egg, larva (caterpillar) pupa (cocoon), adult butterfly