Curated OER
The Life Cycle of the Butterfly
Students examine the life of a butterfly. They write a biography from the point of view of a caterpillar using new vocabulary. They use magnifying glasses to examine butterflies and caterpillars.
Curated OER
Presto Change-o: Caterpillars to Butterflies
Students use the Internet to explore the four stages of a butterfly's life cycle. They make a model of a butterfly using macaroni, sticks and leaves.
Curated OER
Charlie, the Caterpillar - An Integration of Lit. and Music (Elementary, Literature)
Students sing, dance and play instruments that are integrated with the book, "Charlie the Caterpillar."
Other
Biographical Notes for Eric Carle
Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best-known work is the familiar "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".
Scholastic
Scholastic Explorers: Endangered Ecosystems
A great site with something for all grades. Do research on rainforests, follow field research on animals in Latin America, and show what you know through interactive assessments. Lots to see on this site which is a collaboration of...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Endangered Ecosystems: Costa Rican Caterpillars
Go on a mission to Costa Rica and Mexico, and explore the state of tropical rain forest ecosystems by examining Costa Rican caterpillars. Learn what the change in this animal's population means for the rest of the ecosystem.
Iowa State University
Iowa State University: Entomology Image Gallery
This site provides an extensive collection of photographs of insects.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: North Prairie Wildlife Research: Caterpillars of Forests
Descriptions, photographs and information on the caterpillar life cycle for the different species of eastern United states caterpillars. Includes details on collecting and photographing specimens.
Other
Core Knowledge: Poetry in Motion [Pdf]
Collection in pdf format of seven lessons integrating poetry across-the-curriculum. Includes dramatization, developing poetry reading skills, and creating poetry appreciation. Printable graphic organizers and a fine bibliography...
PBS
Pbs: Nature: Alien Empire
Outstanding site that compliments an insect series on PBS. Interactive presentations include bee anatomy and honeybee hives. Includes interactive puzzles, teacher's guides, and formats for making insect masks.
Texas A&M University
Insects in the Classroom: Lesson Plans
A very comprehensive site that includes insect lesson plans for ages 3-18 and links to a syllabus, course material, activities, and related resources.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Endangered Ecosystems: Build Your Own Caterpillar
As you build your own caterpillar, make sure it has everything it needs for its survival. Learn how characteristics, like color, spines, and glands, can help protect the caterpillar.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Caterpillars
This site gives an in-depth description of a caterpillar, including its behavior, appearance, reproduction, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
abcteach
Abcteach: Insects
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the insect world using activities and lesson plans that emphasize cross-curricular learning.
Other
Alphabet soup.com: Insects and Spiders
An extensive list of activities, songs, poems, and fingerplays are listed by alphabet-soup.com. Additional recipes, art projects, and literature connections are also included.
PBS
Pbs Critter Guide: Butterfly
Can you name the four parts of the life cycle of the butterfly? This site features a brief but detailed description of the life cycle of a butterfly and some other fun facts about this interesting insect.
A-Z Animals
A Z Animals: Animal Facts: Caterpillar (Larva)
View images and learn facts about Caterpillars, including species variety, appearance, diet, and predators.
University of Kentucky
Uk Entomology: Stinging Caterpillars
Peruse this site and discover why not all caterpillars are meant to be held. Learn how to spot a stinging caterpillar and discover why they are equipped with this defense mechanism.
Can Teach
Can Teach: Songs and Poems
This site features an extensive list of poems and songs for every event during the school year. Explore the seasons, colors, holidays, and more.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Life Cycles With Butterflies
This site is a lesson plan for teachers. It is a lesson to study the life cycles of a butterfly. It explains how the students would find caterpillars and build a home for them.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Insect Crafts
An extensive list of elementary insect crafts. Each activity contains a list of everyday materials, and detailed instructions.
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Chance and the Butterfly Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Chance and the Butterfly, a novel written by Maggie deVries, looks at a foster child's struggles to fit in at school. He becomes fascinated by the caterpillars being studied in his classroom and takes one home. This teacher's guide...
Other
Fermilab Flora and Fauna Virtual Exhibit: The Monarch Butterfly and Milkweed
This site traces the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and contains links for more in depth study of the terms presented.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Butterfly Life Cycles
This unit introduces students to a study of life cycles by having them examine the life cycle of a butterfly. The students will observe, record and describe the changes in caterpillars as they become butterflies. The teacher will...