Main Idea
Observing the Life Cycle of a Butterfly, students observe one organism over time and compare its development ( egg – caterpillar – butterfly).
The metamorphosis of the Thistle butterfly can be observed for 3 to 4 weeks.
Butterfly caterpillars live material kits – larvae can be ordered online (Thistle butterfly /Vanessa Cardui).
The learning cycle can be integrated with robot building (ICT). Students build a caterpillar using the Lego WeDo 2.0 lego kit and move it using the engine.
Students will also compare actual characteristics of a caterpillar with a robot. What is the difference between animate and inanimate matter? What do caterpillars need to survive? What do you need to make a robot?
| Creator | Marge Paluoja, OU Miksike |
| Subject | Biology, Art education, Computer science, Engineering, Social cooperation |
| Length | 45 minutes |
| Pedagogical Approach | Real-life learning, Tactile |
| Competences | Creativity, Logical thinking, Social skills |
| Grades | 3rd – 4th grade |
| Technologies | WeDo 2.0 set Butterfly |
Learning Activities
Αctivity 1: Duration of activities 2 weeks, 45 min per day.
Introduction:
The Butterfly Life Cycle is a 3-4 week module developed for students that focuses
on the life cycle of the butterfly Vanessa Cardui.
A Butterfly Vanessa Cardui is well suited for classroom observation.
A Butterfly is small, brightly colored, has a varied diet, it can be found all over the
world, it undergoes complete metamorphosis relatively quickly (up to 4 weeks).
Discussion: What do living beings need for life?
What do caterpillars need to survive?
How do you take care of a caterpillar?
Students will observe the development of stages of the Thistle caterpillar and the
puppet.
Students learn the basic needs of caterpillars for air, water, food and shelter.
Make observations and record the results.
Worksheets
- Worksheet 1
https://www.thoughtco.com/parts-of-a-caterpillar-1968482
http://www.liveworksheets.com
https://www.liveworksheets.com/bl252638xa
- Worksheet 2
Caterpillar Body Parts
The body of the caterpillar is divided into 3 parts, the head, thorax, and abdomen.
- Worksheet 3.
Caterpillar head
- Worksheet 4.
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Αctivity 2:
Duration of activities 2 weeks, 45 min per day.
Α) Students build a slide show with Lego WeDo2 kits and Lego WeDo 2.0 software.
Video sample:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWRvuQcThkM
B) Students program the movement of a robotic caterpillar using WeDo 2.0
software.
C) Students build a caterpillar using the Lego WeDo 2.0 lego kit and move it
using the engine.
Observe and monitor the back and forth movement of the robot related to the
left and right rotation of the motor.
Art and science
Activity 1
Draw 2 flowers on a large white paper.
Activity 2
Make the robot caterpillar move from one flower to another.
Activity 3
Try to upgrade the robot so that it leaves a trail. Attach it to the gadget with tape.
Activity 4
Compare different robot caterpillar routes.
Brainstorming
Animate and inanimate nature through both observation and comparing and contrasting.
Art activities.
Lesson (integrated into the theme, 45 min):
Crafting butterflies using color printing.
Tools: paper, gouache.
Kite making.
Making a caterpillar from recycled materials in the groups. The tools are eggshells,
paints, adhesive.
Biology
After 1.5 months, new thistle butterflies are released into the wild on a sunny day.
For the discovery study “Life Cycle of a Butterfly”, a joint project work can be prepared
in the class.
If possible, a garden party will be organized, parents will also be invited to participate.
Student Drawing. Life Cycle of a Butterfly