A Bugs Journey
Austin Cuthbert
Third Grade Science
Common Core Standards:
Life Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding of how living systems function and how they interact with the
physical environment. This includes an understanding of the cycling of matter and flow of energy in living
systems. An understanding of the characteristics, structure, and function of cells, of organisms and of living
systems are developed as well as a deeper understanding of the principles of heredity, biological evolution,
and the diversity and interdependence of life. Students also demonstrate an understanding of different
historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the life sciences.
Indicators for grade 3
1. Compare the life cycles of different animals including birth to adulthood, reproduction and death
(e.g., egg-tadpole-frog, egg-caterpillar-chrysalis-butterfly). (ORC Resources)
2. Relate animal structures to their specific survival functions (e.g., obtaining food, escaping or hiding from
enemies). (ORC Resources)
3. Classify animals according to their characteristics (e.g., body coverings and body structure). (ORC
Resources)
4. Use examples to explain that extinct organisms may resemble organisms that are alive today. (ORC
Resources)
5. Observe and explore how fossils provide evidence about animals that lived long ago and the nature of the
environment at that time. (ORC Resources)
6. Describe how changes in an organism's habitat are sometimes beneficial and sometimes harmful. (ORC
Resources)
Lesson Summary:
This lesson will allow students to become proficient in their understanding of a caterpillars life cycle. They
will document through cameras and their blogs, the different changes they see happening.
Estimated Duration:
This lesson will take place over the course of about a month, one class period each week for four weeks will be
devoted to this assignment. The first week we will use two class periods, one to set up our blogs and one to
create our first documentation of our caterpillars life.
Commentary:
I will hook the students by reading the classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this will also serve as a basic
review of the butterflies life cycles. The biggest challenges I anticipate are technological, if the students have
trouble uploading pictures or setting up their blogs. I am going to set aside the first class period to make sure
everyone can set theirs up and access it with ease. Another possible problem is that a students butterfly will
not make it the whole life cycle and in that case I too will have my own caterpillar in case we need an extra to
document on.
Instructional Procedures:
Day 1:
First 10 to 15 minutes we will read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and do a quick review of the butterflys life
cycle, by talking it out with the book. The next 5 to 10 minutes will be spent with each student picking up their
caterpillar and a laptop. We will then spend the rest of the class period setting up our blogs, using blogger. I
will demonstrate using the Smartboard, and then circle the room helping to answer any questions the students
might have.
Day 2:
First 20 to 25 minutes will be devoted to students taking a picture and uploading it to their blog, I will circulate
the room assisting as needed. The students will then spend the rest of the class period writing a paragraph
about what stage we are in at this point in the caterpillars life cycle. I will allow an extra five minutes at the
beginning and end of the class period for picking up and putting away of supplies.
Day 3:
First 20 to 25 minutes will be devoted to students taking a picture and uploading it to their blog, I will circulate
the room assisting as needed. The students will then spend the rest of the class period, approximately 20 to 30
minutes, writing a paragraph about what stage we are in at this point in the caterpillars life cycle. I will allow
an extra five minutes at the beginning and end of the class period for picking up and putting away of supplies.
Day 4:
First 20 to 25 minutes will be devoted to students taking a picture and uploading it to their blog, I will circulate
the room assisting as needed. The students will then spend the rest of the class period 20 to 30 minutes, writing
a paragraph about what stage we are in at this point in the caterpillars life cycle. I will allow an extra five
minutes at the beginning and end of the class period for picking up and putting away of supplies.
Day 5:
This will be our last day blogging so the students will take one last picture for their blog and then we will go
outside to set the butterflies free. Then, using the remaining class time, 20 to 30 minutes, the students will post
one last entry in their blog, and the lesson will be complete after I review the students blogs.
Pre-Assessment:
I will be reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the class, we will discuss as a group the stages in the
caterpillars life cycle as they come up. I will observe if there are any students who do not feel as comfortable
with the material and give out a worksheet to take home and review.
Scoring Guidelines:
I will score based on my judgment of how the discussion goes. If a student isnt participating or just
seems lost in general will receive a worksheet to complete at home. If after completing the worksheet
they still do not know the life cycle, I will pair them with a student who does and make sure they
receive extra support during our blogging assignment.
Post-Assessment:
My assessment will be the completed blog, I will review it at the end of the month to assess how well the
students understand and can communicate the life cycle of a caterpillar. I will assist them with the set up of
their blog, but I will not be helping the students with what they write about their caterpillars. They will be
assessed on the accuracy of their findings that they report.
Scoring Guidelines:
I will be giving a percentage or grade on this assessment, because I want to give them as much credit as
possible. If they mess up only one stage they shouldnt fail the whole project. I will give feedback in
the form of notes so they can improve for the next time the material shows up.
Differentiated Instructional Support
To make the project more challenging for those who are accelerated, I might have them do a short video rather
than having them take a picture. They could edit it and put that into their blog. For those with IEPs we could
pair them up and have them work on a blog together or with an assisting teacher for some extra support.
Extension
http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/life-cycle
This site uses pictures and child friendly terms to discuss the life cycle of a caterpillar.
Homework Options and Home Connection:
I will ask the students to share what they have learned with their family, and to feel free to snap pictures during
our project if they see caterpillars or butterflies that fit in with the life cycle stage that we are in for that week.
Interdisciplinary Connections
You can incorporate the caterpillars life cycle into a discussion on human growth and development, which
would be health sciences. Or even just personality development, which would probably be more age
appropriate, that would probably fall under social sciences. You could also tie in an art project by designing a
butterfly. Or incorporate math and teambuilding skills by having the students build a home for their butterflies.
Materials and Resources:
For teachers
A butterfly kit
Smartboard
Digital Camera
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
For students
A butterfly kit
I-pad
Key Vocabulary
Abdomenthestomach
AntennaeThisisasensitivefeelerthatthebutterflyhas.
CaterpillarThelarvaofabutterfly.
ChrysalisThisisahardshell.Insideofthechrysalisisthebutterfly.
HostplantsTheplantstheeggsarelaidonarecalledthis.
InsectsThebodyisdividedintothreesections:thehead,thoraxandabdomen.Mosthavewings.
LarvaAsmallinsecthatchesfromaneggiscalledthelarva.Thelarvaofabutterflyiscalledacaterpillar.
Metamorphosisachangeofform
Migratetochangeyourhabitat
NectarAsweetsubstancesecretedbyplants.
PupaInsidethechrysalisthebodyofthebutterflyisformed.Thisstageiscalledthepupastage.
Thoraxthepartofthebodythathousestheheartandlungsandanumberofstructurespassingbetweenthe
neckandtheabdomen.
Additional Notes
