PBS
The Egg
The first stage in the butterfly's life cycle is the egg. Young entomologists discuss why different butterflies lay different eggs and what their eggs look like. Then they use the handouts to make a replica of one type of butterfly egg...
Curated OER
Butterfly Scavenger Hunt
Students, after brainstorming and discussing butterflies, answer a variety of key questions involving butterflies by participating in a butterfly scavenger hunt. They assess various butterfly facts, a butterfly's life cycle in detail and...
Curated OER
Metamorphosis Magic
Students make different motions for each stage in the butterfly life cycle and plant a garden. In this butterfly life cycle lesson plan, students can take the mini gardens home and discuss how butterflies help gardens.
Curated OER
Monarch Egg
Students investigate the stages of the Monarch butterfly and its life cycle. In this butterfly life cycle lesson, students discuss when, where, and how the Monarch butterflies lay their eggs. After discussion, students...
Curated OER
Review of Life Cycle
Students illustrate the life cycle of a butterfly. In this life cycle lesson, students use the book From Caterpillar to Butterfly and the Internet to learn about life cycles. Students use different types of pasta to represent the...
University of Washington
Animal Migration
Here is a unique resource to use with middle and high schoolers that deals with animal migration. Viewers discover the reasons for, types of, and animals that practice this behavioral adaptation. Specific animals that are introduced...
Curated OER
Flutter By!
Second graders identify and list the four main stages of a life cycle of a butterfly. In this butterfly lesson plan, 2nd graders use the internet and videos to learn about the life cycle and be able to list them on their own.
Curated OER
How does Temperature Affect Time in the Pupa Stage?
High schoolers are guided through the Scientific Method to perform observations about the pupa stage of the monarch butterfly. The results of an experiment are used to make assumptions about growth and development.
Curated OER
Measuring Larval Growth and Development
Students keep a detailed records of the growth and development of their larvae. They fill out an observation chart every day during the larval stage, and every4-5 days during the pupa stage. They summarize all of their data on a class...
Curated OER
Data Collection and Record Keeping. Measuring Larval Growth and Development
High schoolers keep data records of the growth of Monarch larvae. The observations are made with the change of each stage of development. The observations are to stimulate the answering of questions about biological development.
Curated OER
What's Happening to Our Caterpillars?
Seventh graders participate in a lesson making observations of caterpillars. They identify different changes in the life cycle of a caterpillar and also understand the final result of the life cycle ending.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Journey North: Monarch Butterfly
All things related to the beautiful monarch butterfly are found here! Tons of links to everything you might imagine. Photos, video clips, plus teacher resources are also included.
Other
The Florida Monarch Butterfly Website
This inclusive site, contains information on how to tell a male from a female Monarch butterfly, great pictures of the Monarch life cycle, and links to other butterfly sites.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Changes in a Monarch's Life Cycle
Students will observe and work with monarch larva. Once they have experienced the life cycle we will go outside to observe milkweed and identify the stages of monarch that are seen on the plant. Back inside the classroom we will discuss...
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature: Monarch
The Monarch butterfly is widely studied by students when they learn about insect life cycles. Basic information about the Monarch and threats to its survival are described here. There are also pictures showing the Monarch in various...
Science Museum of Minnesota
Science Museum of Minnesota: Metamorphosis
A very simple, interactive, and informative explanation of things students can do to learn more about butterflies. Elementary appropriate.