Our study of the life cycle of a painted lady butterfly covered an array of learning goals for our class. We were able to observe each stage of its life cycle beyond the egg stage. Key to this learning is that a life cycle continues to flow, with butterflies laying more eggs to continue the pattern. We also read about other life cycles happening simultaneously that affect butterflies... plant, tree and flower growth and the four seasons. Along the way we kept a journal to record what we observed, just like a scientist. It might have been tempting to use rainbow colored crayons, but we were careful to keep in mind that our journal was a non-fiction piece with real information and diagrams to show changes from day to day.
We watched as each caterpillar ate food, grew and eventually hung in a "j" shape. After transforming (metamorphosis) into a chrysalis we waited patiently for any signs of a butterfly to come. We were able to watch several emerge during the school day and observe them as they opened and closed their wings to dry them and pump blood throughout their wings. After resting we transferred each butterfly to a green net, giving them sugar water as food. We them took them outside, placed them high on evergreen branches and watched as they got accustomed to being outside. We wished each a safe journey to Mexico and a warmer climate as it prepared to migrate for survival. What a miracle to witness!
We recorded our observations in our science journals.
Observing the daily changes until they formed a chrysalis.
Once each chrysalis was formed, we transferred them to a glass tank, securing them along the inside. Then we watched and waited. Finally a butterfly emerged!
After gaining their strength and time to nourish themselves, we release each butterfly together. We took time to get a closer look and watched as they acclimated to the outside weather and prepared for their migratory trip.
After placing them carefully on evergreen branches, we wished them a safe trip to Mexico and hoped their kin would return to Vermont to lay more eggs and continue the life-cycle.
We observed the symmetry in their wings and noted that the colors were vibrant on the top of their wings and more dull on the underside.
Our final journal entry began with a Shared Writing session where all contributed to the words that described each page. As children recalled what occurred, I projected my typing on the screen so that they could see their words come alive. We reread our work before printing and gluing the words into our journals.
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