Students will identify and describe the life

cycle of the butterfly

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric
Carle
Life Cycle Wheel template
Crayons/markers
Scissors
Brass fasteners
Life Cycle of the Butterfly sequencing
strip
Life Cycle Picture Cards
Number Spinner
Paper clips
Pencils



Read: The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the
class
When finished go back and explain each
stage of the butterflys life cycle to the
students. Let them know that the book
shows each stage and be sure to tell the
names for each stage, and that the cocoon
can also be called a chrysalis.






1. Tell the students that they are going
to make the butterflys life cycle
2. Give each of the students a Life Cycle
Wheel template to cut out the two
wheels. (If they are younger or to
save time, you may want to have
them cut out in advance.
3. Have students color pictures on the
first wheel.
4. Cut out the window on the second
wheel.
5. Help your students to place the first
wheel on top of the other and fasten

with brass fastener through center of
the wheel.
6. Demonstrate how turning the bottom
wheel makes each different stage of
the life cycle appear in the window.
7. Read: The Very Hungry Caterpillar to
the class again and this time let them
use their life cycle wheels to show
the correct stage as the caterpillar in
the book goes through that stage.




1. Divide students up into pairs
2. Have them cut apart the picture
cards and put them face up.
3. Give each pair of students a number
spinner, a paper clip, and a pencil.
Show the students how to use the
paper clip as a spinner by sliding the
paper clip onto the pencil. Then hold
the pencil upright with the point in
the center of the spinner.
Demonstrate flicking the paper clip
so it spins around the pencil.
4. Have the students take turns
spinning the paper clip. As the paper
clip lands on the stages of the life
cycle (1,2,3, or 4) have them place
the picture of that stage on the
sequencing strip. (If they have
already placed the picture then the
next player takes their turn.)
5. The first student to have all four
stages on their strip wins!

The students will later be subject to an
assessment similar to the independent
practice, where they will be asked to place
each stage of the butterflys life in the
proper sequence, with the proper name for
each stage. This is to test their knowledge of
the life stages of the butterfly.



One thing that can be done to enhance this
lesson is to set up a butterfly nursery in the
classroom, this way the students will be able
to see the butterfly life cycle in action!
Students can be responsible for helping
make a daily log to track the butterflies
growth, and track them through their life
stages.

2.3.1 Observe closely over a period of time
and then record in pictures and words the
changes in plants and animals throughout
their life cycles-including details of their
body plan, structure and timing of growth,
reproduction and death.
2.3.2 Compare and contrast details of body
plans and structures within the life cycles of
plants and animals.

Lesson Plan adapted from Lakeshore Learning:
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/general_content/free_resources/teachers_corner/less
on_plans/butterflyLifeCycle.jsp
Adapted By: Hannah Pietrzak


Google Docs Document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1--OFdEPfe4G48Rf9ilxOgTRDEuq6Z1z-yQ5z1-
Qg088/edit?usp=sharing