Lifecycles of Butterflies
Lesson 4
Observing the Caterpillars
Students will observe caterpillars and their activities in this and the next two lessons to try to answer their questions about caterpillars.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Know that living things are made of small parts- observe and show how living things look different under a magnifier. (Systems 1-1.2.6)
Caterpillars have body parts.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
If desired, run Activity Sheet 3, Observing the Caterpillar. In Appendix F there is a diagram of the caterpillar, which can also be run for students to label. It is also possible for students to draw and label their own accurate drawing of the caterpillar.
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Mount the first lesson drawing with the scientific labeled diagram for a dramatic document of learning.
Procedure:
Allow observation and discussion time. There are good leading questions provided in the Teacher's Guide to stimulate thought and discussion.
Be flexible for Lessons 4, 5, 6. Caterpillars don't always follow a prescribed schedule and so you may need to rearrange the order of these lessons depending upon what the caterpillars are doing. Don't delete any of the lessons however.
When you are ready for class discussion about their observations, be sure to have them put the caterpillars aside for a few minutes or their attention to the discussion will not be engaged.
Background Information: The caterpillar has body parts including thirteen body segments, prolegs, bristles, spiracles, legs, head and simple eyes. The first three segments will become the adult's thorax. The rear body segments will become the adult's abdomen. Prolegs are the "false legs" that the caterpillar uses to do most of its walking, and the bottom of each helps the caterpillar to cling to plants and other surfaces. The six "true legs" help characterize the adult as an insect. The bristles reflect and minimize light so it is harder to see the caterpillar and harder for birds to swallow. The caterpillar breathes through spiracles, the row of holes that runs along its side. The caterpillar makes silk from spinnerets located in the mouth area.
Prolegs, bristles, and body segment are visible. |
Students will see little pellets in the caterpillar cups. This is waste from the caterpillar which is called frass. Some students will think it laid eggs, so this is good place to point out that caterpillars don't lay eggs because they are not the adult stage of this animal.
Frass
Writing Support:
No writing support for this lesson.
Reading Support:
This can be a great place for several read-aloud books such as Life Story: Butterfly by Michelle Chinery, From Egg to Butterfly by Marlene Reidel, Butterfly and Caterpillar by Barrie Watts and others mentioned in the Bibliography. A good read-together or partner-read book for students is Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons.