Once students have done the necessary research about insects and the conditions needed for survival, they are given larvae to care for during their life span. Students realize a heightened sense of responsibility because it is their insect. Students have to construct their habitat and demonstrate that the insect will have all its life requirements met. Mr. D gives them their larvae which they name immediately and draw pictures of its first stage. Hand lenses are used to look closely at these strange creatures.
Some students observe no change.
Students suggest tentative explanations. They continue to record and diagram observations, and make new predictions as to what will happen to this creature. One day students begin to see a new creature and they realize they have observed and studied part of the life cycle of a butterfly. Some want to release their butterflies outside and hopefully insure their survival. Others place their butterflies in the class terrarium to watch the final stages of the butterfly's life.