Butterfly Life
Introduction to the Butterfly Life Cycle
Lisa Almand
MTE 532
October 9, 2010
Introduction
The lesson plan presented is the initial lesson plan in a 2
week unit on the life cycle of butterflies. The lesson plan
is followed by more in-depth lessons on each stage of the
life cycle as well a lesson on butterflies from around the
world. Upon completion of this lesson students will be
able to identify the stages of the life cycle and recognize it
as continuous pattern.
Overview of the Lesson:
 Title: Introduction to Butterfly Life Cycle
 Grade: 2nd grade Inclusive Classroom
 Time Allotment: 2 – 30 minute lessons – Day 1 & 2
Standards and Objectives
Oklahoma P.A.S.S. Skills
 Science Standard 2: Life Cycles
and Organisms


Plants and animals have life cycles
that include developing into adults,
reproducing, and eventually dying.
The details of this life cycle are
different for different organisms.
Instructional Objectives
 Students will be able to recall the
four stages of the butterfly life
cycle.

Students will be able to explain
and identify the stages of the life
cycle in order and predict that a
new cycle will begin at the end of
a completed life cycle.

Students will be able to recognize
the life cycle as a repeating
pattern.
Math Standard 1: Algebraic
Reasoning: Patterns and
Relationships

Describe, extend, and create
patterns using symbols, shapes, or
designs (e.g., repeating and growing
patterns made up of sets of shapes
or designs, create patterns by
combining different shapes and
taking them apart).
Materials Needed











The book Starting Life
Butterfly
Four stages handout
spiral pasta-caterpillar
shell pasta-chrysalis
bow tie pasta-butterfly
small pasta or lentil - an
egg
crayons or markers
glue
Patterns worksheet
Poem handout
Quiz
Instructional Activities




Anticipatory Set – Ask students if they have ever caught a butterfly
or played with a caterpillar. This will get their brains going.
Pull up a KWL chart on the smart board and fill out with the
student’s comments. Ask students what they know about butterflies.
Then, ask them what they know about caterpillars. Then, ask them
what they want to know. Write down student’s responses and save
the chart for later.
Introduce the vocabulary – Egg, Pupa, Larva, Chrysalis, Adult, Pattern
Read the book, Starting Life Butterfly by Claire Llewellyn. Stop at the
end of each phase and ask questions.
Instructional Activities



After reading the book, review
the stages of the life cycle and
re-emphasize the concept that
the life cycle starts over after
the butterfly develops and lays
eggs, and so.
Pass out the Life Cycle Activity
worksheet. Pass out the
different pasta shapes. Ask
students what stage each type
of pasta resembles and explain
the activity. This activity can be
used as a formative assessment.
Students complete activity.
Life Cycle
Instructional Activities

Begin Day 2 with the use of technology. Watch the life cycle video found at

Review the vocabulary words.
Review the life cycle with students. Be sure to emphasize each stage and its
proper name.
Review the KWL chart (formative assessment) from the beginning and ask
students what they have learned. Write their responses on the smart board
KWL chart. Express to them how much they have learned about butterflies,
life cycles and patterns.
Hand out the butterfly poem. Read it to the students, then, have students
read aloud with you. Pair students with a partner and have them read the
poem repeatedly for their buddy as a fluency builder exercise.
After students buddy read the poems multiple times, have them return to
their desk.
Administer quiz. Summative Assessment





http://www.cheshire-butterflies.co.uk/species/speciesdetails/ot/life_cycle_1.htm
Extension Activities for Diverse Learners
Learning Disabilities





Modified Worksheets and
Handouts
Paired with higher level
students for activities
Provide pictures of life
cycle with pasta activity
Poem can be read to
students
Modified quiz
Gifted Students



Collect caterpillars and
butterflies for class
observations
Make diorama of the life
cycle of butterflies.
Write a poem about
butterflies.
Assessments




Students will be observed during the KWL process
(formative).
Students will be assessed (formative) during the life cycle
activity through observation.
They will also be assessed (formative) during the patterns
worksheet.
At the end of the second day, students will be given a quiz
(summative) that will be graded.
Rubric - Formative
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Assessment
Students demonstrate
no new knowledge
about life cycle of
butterflies
Students show some
interest and new
knowledge after the
lesson on butterflies
Students reveal learning
many new things
regarding butterflies.
Students express
learning the complete
life cycle and know it is
a pattern.
Activity is not colored,
no sentences are
written, pasta is used
incorrectly
Some coloring,
sentences not complete,
most stages are
correctly drawn
Colored and sentence
are almost complete.
Stages are near
correctness
Color is great with
Pasta Activity
details. Complete
sentences and stages are
correct
Does not successfully
complete pattern
activity.
Struggles to complete
activity and does not
complete without
assistance.
Successfully completes
the activity but makes a
few mistakes. (May
struggle with completing
it in a timely manner)
Successfully completes
activity in a timely
manner with no
assistance.
Students need additional Students need to review
review and lesson may
concepts and lesson
need slight
should be reviewed
improvements
Students are clearly
learning and lesson is
successful.
Students need more
instruction and lesson
needs modifications
KWL Chart
Pattern Worksheet
Rubric – Summative Quiz
Poor - D
Incorrect labels on life cycle.
Patterns not complete and
mostly incorrect. Picture not
colored. No name on paper.
Fair – C
Not all labels are correct.
Many patterns are incorrect.
Coloring is minimal.
Good - B
Labels have only one mistake.
Patterns are mostly correct
and chart is colored.
Excellent - A
All labels are correct on life
cycle. Patterns are all complete
accurately. Coloring is
complete and detailed.
Conclusion
The Introduction to the Life Cycle of Butterflies lesson plan
is followed by a series of lessons on each stage of the life
cycle. Throughout the lesson, and the entire unit, the
needs of diverse learners is addressed with many
accommodations and differentiated activities. The lesson
plan integrates math and science concepts, as well as
reading fluency and technology. Upon completion of the
unit, students will have an in-depth understanding of the
life cycle, various mathematical concepts, technology,
social sciences, and literature.
References
Martin, R., Sexton, C., Franklin, T., & Gerlovich, J. (2005). Teaching science for all
children: An inquiry approach (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Oklahoma Department of Education. (2010). Oklahoma P.A.S.S. Priority Academic Student
Skills Grade . Retrieved October 7, 2010, from http://www.sde.state.ok.us