Life Cycle Of A Butterfly

Life Cycle Of A Butterfly

Life Cycle Of A Butterfly

Use the shape of a butterfly (the four parts of the wings) or caterpillar (circles to make up the length of the caterpillar) to describe the parts of the life cycle (egg, larva, caterpillar, butterfly).

Make a caterpillar out of pompoms, chenille stems, google eyes and a long magnet. 

Butterflies can be made out of tissue paper, a clothes pin, chenille stem (for antennae).

Instead of using a clothes pin, a chenille stem can be folded in half for a different effect.

They can be glued on to a long magnet. the clothes pin can hold small pieces of paper. Makes a great gift! To stay with the theme, a pencil can be decorated with pompoms near the end. these can be glued on in a straight line or wind their way around the pencil. A magnet can be glued on to the pencil if you want to keep the set together. 

Beautiful, big butterflies look amazing when using bright coloured tissue paper, gathered in the centre with a chenille stem. Let students use their imaginations when putting the finishing touches on the wings (pieces of tissue paper, glitter, small foam pieces, sequins). 

Butterflies are fantastic subjects when teaching/demonstrating symmetry! Young children can draw or create simply designs demonstrating a line of symmetry. Older children should demonstrate more complex patterns on each wing while also showing symmetry.

A mirror is a great teaching tool when checking for lines of symmetry. Have the children locate items in the classroom that are symmetrical. Don't forget to discuss different lines of symmetry (not all lines are vertical, but can also be vertical and diagonal). Also discuss and observe that some objects have more than one line of symmetry (a square has the three lines of symmetry). Sometimes it is easier to see additional lines of symmetry when rotating the object. 

A great math activity to compliment this lesson can be found at Butterfly Symmetry