Lesson Plan for Family Literacy
The Lifecycle of Butterflies
By Joan Scola and
Patti Meszaros

November 14, l999

Objectives:

• To use the Internet as a means of enhancing research techniques.
• To develop an understanding of similar and different characteristics of Monarch Butterflies and Royal Moths, including their life cycles.
• To write an informative essay on the stages of the butterfly life cycle and its development.
• To read a story about a butterfly to a child and report the child's reaction.
• To organize and share information and tasks in a cooperative learning environment.

Level:

Intermediate

Procedure:

1. Show a picture of a Monarch Butterfly and a Royal Moth.

2. Do a KWL Chart. Ask students to compare and contrast the moth and the butterfly.

3. Make a T chart to display developmental stages.

4. List three questions you would like to have answered about butterflies or moths.

5. Find answers to your questions by using either of these Internet websites:

A. http://www.mesc.usgs.gov/butterfly/

Print one Life Cycle per group then go to "ask a question" to find the answers to your particular questions.

B.http://butterflywebsite.com/gallery/index.cfm

To look around this site, click in the various boxes.

6. Finish the KWL chart individually then we will discuss them as a whole class.

7. Various pictures depicting the butterfly's lifecycle will be displayed. Students will put them in proper chronological order by using their own lifecycle pictures.

8. Students will use their journal writing time to compare their child's developmental stages with those of a butterfly.

9. Students will discuss the lifecycle of a butterfly and what they have learned today with their child. Together they will decorate a printed butterfly using macaroni, ribbons, buttons and confetti.

10. Students will use school library to find children's books about butterflies.

11.Students will share their home experiences and their child's reaction to the story.

12. Class will discuss raising butteflies as a group project. Individual tasks will be assigned.

Comments:
Social Studies can be added to this lesson by researching the regions in which Monarch butterflies live and mapping their migration pattern. Other possible resources include an atlas, dictionary or encyclopedia. Using Microsoft Word programs to print their journal entries will enhance keyboarding skills. They may also "paint" butterfly pictures on a computer. This would involve many basic computer uses and could be conducted over several days. Students could also E-mail a scientist using link #2.

Recommendations:
The teacher may demonstrate this Internet lesson first. Students may choose to work in pairs in a cooperative setting. The pictures at these websites are so beautiful that students will be very enthusiastic.

This page was published 3/10/00.

LiteracyTech "Using the Internet" Workshops: Maryland | Maryland Participant Projects | Home