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A Study of Butterflies - LaPorte, Texas - Kindergarten Class

Selections

by Jennifer Johnson and Charlotte Copous

     Preliminary Planning

     Our project on butterflies stemmed from an earlier conversation with our classes.  A student came into school excited about the butterflies she had seen over the weekend in her back yard. Other students stated that they had seen butterflies around their homes as well.

     A new discussion evolved due to this discovery.  During theme time, butterfly migration during the late fall season in the U.S. was discussed.  Due to the warm climate in Texas and Mexico, some butterflies migrate to the LaPorte, TX area. At the same time, native butterflies begin to come out of their chrysalises.  

     The depth of student interest in discovering more about butterflies made this a great topic to explore using Project Approach.  A letter informed parents of the butterfly topic and explained about the grant received for Project Approach. 

     Before the topic of butterflies was introduced, a thorough search of related resources was needed to insure a successful navigation of this topic.  We collected many non-fiction and fiction trade books, educational resources, videos, computer software and live larvae specimens were ordered for observation.  Curriculum goals were discussed as well as anticipated fieldwork and center activities.  Both a topic web and curriculum web were generated to help us get a starting point for the project and organized our existing knowledge.  Finally… we were ready to begin.

                (click to enlarge)                
    Topic Web                                                                       Curriculum Web

     Project Introduction

     In early March, the topic of butterflies was introduced by sharing personal stories of the fun and excitement of chasing and attempting to catch butterflies, in fields of wild flowers, when we were young children.  The students were able to recall the conversation we had a few weeks ago when a few students came into school excited about the butterflies they had seen over the weekend.  The students shared experiences that they have had with butterflies and listened to each other’s stories.

     After sharing our personal experiences, the students began to display a growing interest about butterflies.  At that time we began the EKWQ Chart and the topic web was shared with the class and new information was added to the growing web.

     An outdoor butterfly safari around the school grounds to search for butterflies was then in order.  The students were assigned to small groups, and each group was given a Polaroid camera to “catch” pictures of any butterflies that were encountered on our picture walk.  Two butterflies were “caught on camera”.  We watched them for a few minutes to observe and discuss their behaviors.

    

     Upon returning to the classroom, the species of butterflies were determined by using a wheel illustrating the butterflies of Texas.  The two butterflies discovered on our search were the Cabbage Butterfly and the Common Wood Nymph.  A list of the observations made by the students while watching the butterflies was then placed with the pictures in our discovery center.    

     As our interest level of butterflies continues to increase, we are ready to spread our wings and fly into Phase 2.                                                                      

  Resources

Information Copyright © 2001, Jennifer Johnson and Charlotte Copous.     |     Design Copyright © 2001, Cory Moravits.     |    Property of LaPorte ISD