Butterfly Life Cycle

We were busy busy last week working on our life cycle of a butterfly project.  The project is a great example of scaffolding our learning.... or emergent curriculum.  While you won't find "make a caterpillar" on our curriculum guide it does list noticing change of season.  After reading Eric Carle's, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" we talked about changes that are happening around us.  Changes in season from winter to spring we see more insects, changes from night to day, days change from Sunday-Saturday, caterpillars and people change in size by how much we eat, caterpillars change into butterflies.  Loads of Pre-K Standards were met during this fun project! 

LANGUAGE
7.PK.2 Listen and respond appropriately to stories and group discussion.
SCIENCE
L.PK.2  Explore and identify a variety of animals and plants.
L.2.A.2 Students know differences exist among individuals of the same kind of plant or animal.
L.2.B  Students understand that living things have identifiable characteristics.
L.PK.6 Identify animals and their homes.
E.2.A.3 Students know weather changes from day to day and seasonally.

 One student described the change of a caterpillar as magic. Thus, we introduce the huge word "metamorphosis" then start of our metamorphosis project.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
G8.K.1 Recognize weather changes with the seasons and how people adapt to those changes.
Ec10.PK.1 Decide between two choices involving classroom resources.
6.PK.1d Demonstrate ability to delay gratification to complete a larger task (Waiting for paint to dry!)
6.PK.1a Attend to a task for at least 10 minutes.
2.PK.3a Use toys and materials with care.
2.PK.3b Clean up or put away toys and materials when finished.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION
5.PK.1 Recognize their own and others' artwork.
5.PK.2 Demonstrate respect for the artwork of others.

  We learned a moth makes a cocoon and a butterfly makes a chrysalis.

Using droppers and small motor skills of pinching, the students their choice of colors of paint, then fold, (another developmental skill) rub, and open.....ta da!
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
6.PK.2 Demonstrate the muscle strength, dexterity, and control needed to manipulate items (scissors, writing utensil, paint brushes, play dough, buttons/snaps, etc.)
6.PK.3 Use fingered or tripod grasp with drawing, painting, or writing instruments.
Look at that satisfaction!
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
2.PK.2b Express satisfaction when accomplishing a task and achieving a goal.
2.PK.3 Demonstrate persistence by trying again when faced with challenges.
5.PK.3 Use language arts, math, science, and other disciplines in dramatic play (finger plays, counting, grocery store, life cycles!)
2.PK.4 Identify color, shape, and texture through art experiences.

The finished product!  What's hiding inside that chrysalis?  A caterpillar!  And when the "chrysalis" is unfolded it's a butterfly!