Caterpillars and Butterflies

It seems like a right of passage that kindergarteners learn about caterpillars and butterflies... so we did. I don't have as many pictures and didn't capture every step of this process due to the fact that we were simultaneously finishing our art investigation and preparing for kindergarten recognition... but I captured a few pictures of our mini investigation.

For this mini investigation we did a large writing piece. Students made books to share facts about caterpillars and butterflies. For our research on this small scale investigation... students would learn about one thing (example... what caterpillars can look like or how butterflies protect themselves) and then share what they had learned. By the time we were finished researching, students had a 5-6 page book about what they had learned.

We also observed caterpillars going through the life cycle. Ms. West ordered the caterpillars with plenty of time to spare but of course they didn't arrive! After much battling with the company... they finally came a few weeks before school let out. Miraculously enough they did emerge from their chrysalis just in time to be released the last week of school.  It was pretty cool because the students actually got to see one coming out of the chrysalis!

Here are just a few center pictures that we were able to get!

Students represented caterpillars and butterflies with art work. We were even able to make a collection for the art museum.

Students used clay to make models.

Students used loose parts to practice symmetry.

 Students worked in our math area with pattern blocks...

 And made caterpillar patterns.

Students enjoyed reading non-fiction texts.

They also loved our sensory table filled with dirt, shovels and insects!

 It was a quick study and we missed a lot of photo opps I'm sure... but the kids had a good time and learned a lot. We sent the books they wrote home... but if I can get my hands on one I will post it!