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A Study of Butterflies - LaPorte, Texas - Kindergarten Class

Selections

by Jennifer Johnson and Charlotte Copous

     As we conclude our study of butterflies, the students were caring for and feeding our butterflies with sugar water as the butterflies began to emerge from their pupas.  The students have gained a wealth of knowledge of a butterfly’s life cycle through firsthand research and investigation.  They love using the scientific terminology they have learned to tell others about what is happening with our butterflies.  We have invited other classes, parents, and staff members to come into our class and allow our students to share with them the incredible changes they have witnessed over the last few weeks.

     We revisited our EKWQ chart to ensure that we answered the questions that were asked and wondered about when we began our project.   A brainstormed list of all the facts we learned was generated.  The students where amazed with the vast amount of knowledge they possessed on the subject of butterflies.

     Culminating Event

     Being eager to release our Painted Lady Butterflies into our environment, we decided to make this the culminating event to our project: 

“THE BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY RELEASE”

     The class went out to the gazebo area in the front of our building near the flower garden and let them free.  The students watched in awe as the butterflies were freed and began to fly around.  They chased them around and watched as the butterflies went to the flower garden and sipped nectar.  What a wonderful experience for the children to witness what had been grown and nurtured in the classroom, now free in the natural environment!

    

    

     Students have completed their project work and it has been displayed in collaborative class displays in the classroom and the hallways.  The students have been getting many comments from students, teachers, and visiting parents on how mush they enjoy their work.  Many students have gained an interest in other insects such as ladybugs and grasshoppers.  This may be a new direction for exploration with further project work or independent research.

     Comments

     Upon completing our project on butterflies, students and parents were asked for their comments about their experiences with butterflies and involvement in the project.  

     Conclusion

     We believe that our first project was a successful one for our students. It was wonderful observing the children gain new knowledge about the topic of butterflies and using this knowledge in their every day conversations with other students and their parents. It is amazing to see how capable kindergartners are at planning, researching, interviewing, organizing and working as a team on a project. Our students really grasped the topic of butterflies by the antennae's and flew with it.  We look forward to beginning a new project soon.

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