Lifecycles of Butterflies
Lesson 3
Learning More About Caterpillars
This lesson deals with the basic needs of living systems: food, water, air, and shelter.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Know that most living things need food, water, and air- Observe and record that most living things need water, food and air. (Concepts and Principles 1-1.3.8)
Know that plants and animals need a place to live- observe and show organisms that live in specific places and describe how animals depend on plants or animals for food. (Systems 1-1.3.10)
Living things share characteristics.
Living things need certain things to survive.
Caterpillars have specific needs.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
There is an Activity Sheet 2 that can be duplicated if the teacher chooses, or an entry can be made in the science notebook. Students will use the caterpillar cup they assembled in Lesson 2.
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Writing in the science notebook is a powerful way for students to record and reflect upon learning. |
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Procedure:
In this lesson, students will spend time observing their caterpillars in the habitat made for them.
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The lesson also consists of discussion of the needs of living creatures and where the caterpillar gets what it needs to survive. The final activities give students the opportunity to make a prediction. Point out that predictions are based on what has been observed and aren't just wild guesses.
Remind students not to use the pronoun "it" in their predictions, but to name the things they are predicting about.
Background Information: Caterpillars have the same needs as other animals. They need food, water, air, and shelter. The caterpillars are more particular about their food than we are. They eat only a limited number of plants like those in the Mallow family. They also get their water from the plants they eat. Caterpillars breathe air but differently than we do. There needs to be air holes in the lid of their habitat. Finally they need shelter. In nature this is made from a leaf and silk "tent", but in the classroom, this will be the caterpillar cup.
Writing Support:
This lesson provides another opportunity to give a writing prompt such as: What are two things living creatures need to survive and why?
Reading Support:
A fun read aloud is Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar . It can stimulate discussion of the primary focus of the caterpillar…eating, and its food. It also provides a strong opportunity for students to sequence events in a story.
Enjoying caterpillar literature.