Butterfly Life Cycle: 1st Grade Science Lesson Plan Guide

Lesson Plan: The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Grade: 1st | Subject: Science | Topic: Growth & Development

Teacher: [Name] | Date: [Date]

Standards & Objectives

NGSS 1-LS1-2: Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive. (Focus on Growth/Life Cycle)

Scholars will be able to identify and order the four stages of a butterfly's life cycle: Egg, Larva (Caterpillar), Pupa (Chrysalis), and Adult Butterfly.

Essential Questions & Vocabulary

How do animals change as they grow? What are the stages of a butterfly's life?

• Life Cycle • Egg • Larva (Caterpillar) • Pupa (Chrysalis) • Adult Butterfly • Metamorphosis

Motivation / Hook (5 min)

Have you ever seen a baby picture of yourself? Did you look the same?

Just like humans, insects change as they grow. But butterflies change completely!

Direct Instruction: The 4 Stages

A butterfly goes through a process called Metamorphosis. It has 4 specific stages.

01

Stage 1: The Egg

A female butterfly lays tiny eggs on a leaf. They are very small and round or oval.

02

Stage 2: Larva (Caterpillar)

The egg hatches into a larva. We call this a caterpillar. It spends all its time eating leaves and growing bigger.

03

Stage 3: Pupa (Chrysalis)

The caterpillar hangs upside down and forms a hard shell. Inside, its body is changing rapidly.

04

Stage 4: Adult Butterfly

The chrysalis splits open. A butterfly comes out! Its wings are wet, so it must wait for them to dry before it can fly.

Guided Practice: Read Aloud

Let's listen to a story about a butterfly's life. Pay attention to the order of the stages.

Resource Suggestion: 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' or National Geographic Kids 'Caterpillar to Butterfly'

Independent Practice: Cut & Paste Activity

1. Cut out the 4 pictures. 2. Look at the numbers on your worksheet. 3. Glue the pictures in the correct order (1-4). 4. Label the stages if you can.

Share, Reflection & Homework

Turn and Talk: Which stage do you think is the most interesting and why?

HOMEWORK: Write 2 complete sentences about the life cycle of a butterfly in your notebook.