Everything You Need to Teach the Life Cycle of the Butterfly

Spring is a great time to study butterflies.  Butterflies are pretty, and most children (and adults) love to watch them flutter around.  Warmer spring weather means getting outside to enjoy everything that makes spring so awesome - sunshine, birds, blue skies, boat rides on the lake, hiking trails, riding bikes, and watching butterflies.  Somewhere around April, we begin to see caterpillars crawling around outside.  Some children might not understand that caterpillars become butterflies.  Spring is an excellent time to teach children the butterfly's life cycle.

The Life Cycle of the Butterfly

Adult butterflies lay eggs on plant leaves in the spring, summer, and fall.  After the butterfly lays its eggs, it takes about four days for the eggs to hatch into caterpillars.  The plant leaves become food for the hatching caterpillars.   The caterpillars will crawl around and eat plant leaves for about two weeks.  Then, they are ready to spin a chrysalis, also called a pupa or a cocoon.  The chrysalis is a protective covering for the changing caterpillar.  In the wild, a caterpillar will crawl off the plant leaves to find a place to spin its chrysalis so it won't be seen by a predator, an animal that might eat the caterpillar inside while it is inside its chrysalis.  Suppose you are watching the life cycle of a butterfly in your home.  In that case, you might watch through a netted caterpillar habitat like this one.

This mesh caterpillar habitat is available here.

Inside the netted habitat, the caterpillar climbs to the top when it is ready to spin its chrysalis. When it reaches the top, it spins a wad of silk. The caterpillar hangs upside down from the wad of silk for about 18 hours before spinning the chrysalis. The caterpillar spends about ten days inside the chrysalis. Then, a beautiful butterfly emerges.

Here is a short video explaining the changes that occur during the butterfly's life cycle.

 

You'll want to gather various materials to teach children the butterfly's life cycle successfully. 

Materials Needed to Teach the Life Cycle of the Butterfly

I highly suggest the mesh habitat above.  I've used this several times and the kids have always loved it!

As a token of my appreciation for being part of my email list, I'm offering you a FREE Butterfly Life Cycle Journal. This interactive tool will not only reinforce the facts you teach about the butterfly life cycle but also inspire your students or children to explore the world of butterflies. It's a perfect companion to the mesh habitat, should you decide to get one. Don't miss out, get your free journal by signing up for email updates here.

Take me to my free Butterfly Life Cycle Journal

I have printable activities in my Etsy shop for only $5.00.  You can print out as many copies as you need for your classroom or homeschool, but please refrain from sharing with others in physical or digital forms.  Please note the copyright information on the copyright page in the file.  If you use an activity from my Etsy shop, please direct others outside of your classroom or homeschool back to my Etsy listings so that they can purchase their own copies.

If you want a complete week-long butterfly life cycle unit, I've got you covered.  I've done most of the work for you.   The Life Cycle of the Butterfly: A One Week Unit of Study for Kids is new in my Amazon author store.  In this unit, you will find an overall objective for the week, daily objectives, daily lesson ideas and plans, links to sites where you can learn all about the subjects you will cover, daily activities, and links for gathering all the needed supplies.  My butterfly week-long unit and other publications are here on my Amazon Author Page.  You might want to check out my Butterfly Coloring Book while you're there.

More Suggestions for Your Study on The Life Cycle of the Butterfly

The Life Cycle of the Butterfly Activity Packet 1

The Life Cycle of the Butterfly Activity Packet 1 is available here.

Here are a few books for teaching this unit.

The Life Cycles of Butterflies

The Life Cycles of Butterflies is available here.

A Butterfly's Life Cycle

A Butterfly's Life Cycle is available here.

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly is available here.

Here are several hands-on manipulatives and toys for teaching the life cycle of the butterfly.

Life Cycle Toy Kit

This Butterfly Life Cycle Toy Kit is available here.

Montessori Life Cycle Learning Education Toys, 

Insect Caterpillar to Butterfly Kit, 

Ladybug, Bee, Tadpole to Frog Kit 

Life Cycle Toys for Kids, 

Preschool Learning Activities for Age 3 4 5 6 7 8

This learning toy kit is available here.

I love this poster visual that shows the life cycles of the butterfly, the frog, the chicken, the fish, the turtle, the apple, the pea plant, and the dragonfly.

This life cycle poster is available here.

More Fun Butterfly Books for Kids

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 50th Anniversary Edition

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is available here.

Little Caterpillar

Little Caterpillar is available here.

Ten Wriggly, Wiggly Caterpillars

Ten Wriggly, Wiggly Caterpillars is available here.

How Does a Caterpillar Change

How Does a Caterpillar Change is available here.

My, Oh My - A Butterfly!

My, Oh My - A Butterfly! is available here.

Tracking Butterfly Migration

The Mystery of the Monarchs:
How Kids, Teachers, and Butterfly Fans Helped Fred and Norah Urquhart Track the Great Monarch Migration

The Mystery of the Monarchs is available here.

Craft Supplies for Butterfly Themed Activities

Construction Paper

Construction Paper is available here.

Crayola Markers

This set of Crayola Markers is available here.

Glue Bundle - Liquid Glue and Glue Sticks

This glue bundle is available here.

Fiskars Scissors

These Fiskars Scissors are available here.

Studying the Anatomy of a Butterfly

Magnifying Glasses for Studying Butterflies Up Close

These magnifying glasses are available here.

Butterfly:  External Parts Book

This Butterfly:  External Parts Book is available here.

Modeling Clay for Creating a 3D model of the butterfly

This Air Dry Modeling Clay is available here.

Finger Paint

This finger paint is available here.

Now you should have all you need to teach your kids all about the Life Cycle of the Butterfly.  Your kids are sure to love this study and they'll want to get outside to check it all out in real life!  That's the best part!

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Go live life abundantly,

Tina

Finding Peace in Times of Uncertainty: Trusting God's Promises

Finding Peace in Times of Uncertainty:  Trusting God's Promises

Finding Peace in Times of Uncertainty: Trusting in God's Promises

In a world filled with constant change and uncertainty, peace might seem increasingly difficult to find. Yet, as Christ-followers, we are called to anchor our hearts and minds in the unchanging truth of God's sovereign Word, especially during times of uncertainty. The Bible offers profound wisdom and reassurance for those navigating turbulent seasons, reminding us that true peace is found in trusting God's promises.

Scripture assures us that God is not just a refuge and strength, but our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). When the storms of life rage around us, we can find solace in His unfailing love and unshakeable faithfulness. Even when circumstances may seem overwhelming, we can rest assured that God is in control and that His plans for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11).

This beautiful wall art is available here.

Jesus Himself comforted His disciples, saying, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). This peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding, is not dependent on external circumstances but flows from a deep and abiding trust in the Lord.

During times of uncertainty, our peace is not found in external circumstances but in prayer and reading God's Word. As we actively draw near to Him in faith, He promises to guard our hearts and minds with His peace (Philippians 4:6-7). By intentionally surrendering our worries and anxieties to Him, we make room for His peace to reign in our lives.

Additionally, we can find comfort in the fellowship of believers who can offer encouragement, support, and prayers during challenging times. We can lift each other up and remind one another of God's faithfulness and goodness.

Finding peace in times of uncertainty begins with fixing our gaze on God's promises and trusting that what He says is true. As we anchor our hearts in His Word, make prayer a life-long priority, and lean on the support of fellow believers, we can experience a peace that transcends circumstances and fills us with hope and assurance.

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Finding Refuge Under God's Wings: Psalm 91:4

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Coming Soon!

Patriotic Coloring Pages for Kids 

Patriotic Coloring Pages for Kids

My next publication is going live soon! My coloring book for children, Patriotic Coloring Pages for Kids, contains 82 pages of coloring fun. Kids will enjoy coloring the Statue of Liberty, the United States Capitol, fireworks - all things 4th of July.

I'm also working on:

The Fruits of the Spirit:  A Devotional About Each of the Nine Fruits of the Spirit Based on Galatians 5:22-23

The Fruits of the Spirit: A Devotional About Each of the Nine Fruits of the Spirit

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!  It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!

Color and Color-Word Recognition Flip-Books for Kids, Two Booklet Set

Color and Color-Word Recognition Flip-Books for Kids, Two Booklet Set

Our new flip-booklet for kids features cute dogs playing with colorful balls.  This two -booklet set is intended to teach color and color-word recognition.  Children will cut out the pages.  After stapling the pages together, they will enjoy reading their "Dogs Love to Play with Balls" flip-book.  While flipping through the pages, kids will read the short and simple text on each page.  While they are reading, they will learn to recognize the following colors:  green, blue, red, orange, yellow, brown, pink, purple, white, and black.

The second flip-book offers 10 pages of coloring fun for kids.

Dogs Like to Play with Balls Flip-Booklet for Kids

As kids flip through each page of the second flip-booklet, they will read the simple text on each page.  Then they will choose a crayon color that corresponds with the color word on the page.  After they choose the correct crayon, they will color the ball on the page.   

Our "Dogs Like to Play with Balls" flip-book not only teaches kids to recognize colors and color words, but they will also gain reading practice.  They will exercise those small motor skills as they cut out the pages and color the balls.  After the pages are stapled together, kids will enjoy reading their booklets over and over again, gaining even more opportunities to practice reading and color recognition.  However, the most important part of this activity is not the cutting, reading, or color-word recognition practice.  The most important part of this activity is the opportunity for your child to read with YOU.  Taking the time to sit down for a few minutes to read with your child is one of the most important things you can do for them.  Activities like this one, especially when done with a parent, promises opportunities for parent-child bonding.  "Dogs Like to Play with Balls" is a chance for children to develop a love for learning that will stay with them for life.

Each page in booklet one has a corresponding page in booklet two.

Children can staple the pages of each booklet together separately to keep two booklets to read or they can combine the pages into one booklet.  Feel free to leave that up to them.  Then, enjoy reading with your child over and over again.

Download your copy now!

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Dogs Like to Play with Balls Two-Booklet Set

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