Special Features

Printable Version

Butterfly Unit Contents:

• What Caterpillars Eat
• From Caterpillar to Butterfly
• Life Cycles of Butterflies
• Life Cycle Sequencing
• Eat Like a Butterfly
• How to Attract Butterflies
• Symmetry Lesson
• Butterfly Poetry
• What Have We Learned?
• References

Note from LessonPlansPage.com: This Butterfly Unit uses some materials (books, life cycle cards, worksheets, butterfly shape cutouts, etc.) that are not included. You may be able to create your own version of the materials, purchase the materials, do without the materials, or contact the author at the email address at the bottom of this lesson plan to request more information on the materials.

Standards Met (Math): 3.2.2 Identifies symmetrical shapes. (Art) 1.1.10 Applies paint, 1.1.13 Identifies pattern and rhyme, 1.1.14 Applies pattern and rhyme, 1.2.6 Uses painting tools

Objectives: The objective of this lesson is to teach the children about the word and the concept of symmetry.

Introduction: To introduce this lesson we will talk about what symmetry means. We will look at objects that have symmetry such as leaves, shells, and butterfly wings.

Lesson: I will give each child a butterfly shape. I will ask them to put whatever colors of paint they want in any design on one side of the butterfly. They will then fold the butterfly in half and gently rub the paper. When they open it up again, the same pattern will be on both sides of the butterfly. I will explain that this is an example of symmetry in nature. We will display out butterflies near the butterfly books.

Materials: Butterfly shapes cutouts, paint, and brushes.

Self-Evaluation: I will evaluate this lesson by the discussion we have after the art project. I will also ask the children to think of other objects in the classroom and nature that have symmetry, and see what they know.

ESOL accommodations: This is a great activity for ESOL children because it is a hands-on, shared activity. It shows a clear visual picture of how butterflies are the same on both sides. The children really got creative with this activity!

E-Mail Leslie Tetrault!