Lifecycles of Butterflies
Lesson 15
Other Life Cycles
Students will be in the APPLY phase of the learning cycle as they apply what they have learned about life cycles through studying the Painted Lady Butterfly to other life cycles both plant and animal. This unit will provide some prior knowledge which students can access about life cycles when they study Plant Growth and Development.
3. Lesson set up and Management
INQA: Scientific investigations are designed to gain knowledge about the natural world.
INQD: Simple instruments, such as magnifiers, thermometers, and rulers provide more information than scientists can obtain using only their unaided senses.
LS1A: Plants have life cycles that include sprouting, growing to full size, forming fruits and flowers, shedding seeds (which begins a new cycle), and eventually dying. The details of the life cycle are different for different plants.
LS1B: Animals have life cycles that include being born, developing into children, adolescents, then adults, reproducing (which begins a new cycle), and eventually dying. The details of the life cycle are different for different animals.
Life cycles are a continuous cycle.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
Pictures and examples of other types of life cycles. Trade books that illustrate other life cycles.
Procedure:
Display or read about various other life cycles. Discuss some of those life cycles such as a plant, a bird, other insects, reptile, mammal, fish, etc. Ask students to draw and label the life cycle of a living organism of their choice.
The "think-pair-share" technique mentioned in the Teacher's Guide is a good way to give every student a chance to share their ideas in less time. It will engage every child in the discussion. Have students think about the problem or question for a minute or two. Then, discuss the problem or question with a partner for two minutes. Finally, share with the class in a discussion what the students and their partners thought.
Background Information: The cycle is an important concept in science. Living things have cycles whether they are plants or animals. The stages may vary but the life cycle is present nonetheless. The cycle of the butterfly can be used to illustrate the idea of life cycles and to draw parallels between the butterfly life cycle and other types of cycles.
Writing Support:
No writing support for this lesson.
Art Support:
Accurately labeled diagrams are a crucial element of science literacy. Stress to students at every part of the unit that diagrams should be labeled.
Reading Support:
No reading support for this lesson.