This butterfly is especially well suited for classroom study. The main objective of the unit is to introduce young children to the concept of life cycles by using one organism as an example.
Students also learn observational and recording skills, and add to their scientific vocabulary.
The first eight lessons focus on caterpillar and chrysalis stages of the Painted Lady butterfly. Students begin their study of these two stages by sharing their prior knowledge of caterpillars and then, as a pre-assessment exercise, they draw what they think a caterpillar looks like. In Lesson 2, they learn about caterpillars' basic needs for air, water, food, and shelter and make and record their first observations. In Lessons 3 through 6, emphasis is placed on developing observational and recording skills. In Lessons 7 and 8, the caterpillar signals the end of this stage of its life cycle by hanging upside down from the top of its shelter in a distinctive J-shape.