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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Flight Of The Butterfly

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2nd grade STEM lesson

Nedre White

05/19/24

Flight Of The Butterfly

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Notes for teachers

This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more days.

  • After students learn about the butterfly cycle they will learn how the butterfly flies.
  • Students will design a (a functioning flying butterfly). Creative solutions should be encouraged.
  • Students will work independently.

Notes: Students can also make a model of a butterfly cycle.

List of Materials

  • Video - ( Life Cycle of the Butterfly)

https://youtu.be/3kZD6rlSLUw?si=gmrjaX-RDbsMQ5JN)

  • Diagram of the Butterfly Cycle
  • Butterfly Cycle Vocabulary Words
  • Varies Materials for creating and designing

https://youtu.be/nzU2WPOBaAI?si=dohz3benvYqeU4Xt

(Butterfly Flight in Slow Motion)

Materials included but not limited:

sting, paperclips, magnets, straws, cardboards, tape, glue, yard, crayons, markers, construction paper, and drawing paper.

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State Standards

Science Standards:

State Standards: Science: SC.2.L.16.1 Observe and describe major stages in life cycles of plants and animals, including beans and butterflies.

Science and Engineering Practices

  • ask questions and define problems
  • develop and use models
  • plan and carry out investigations
  • analyze and interpret data
  • use mathematical and computational thinking
  • construct explanations and design solutions
  • engage in argument from evidence
  • obtain, evaluate and communicate information

Standards

ELA Standard

2.RL.1

Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

2.RI.7

Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.

2.SL.6

Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

2. S.L. 1 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

2.S. L. 2 Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue.

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Objectives:

Today we will learn about the butterfly cycle.

Today we will learn how a butterfly flies.

Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to complete an engineering design challenge.

Today students will be able to design and engineer a butterfly movement.

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Agenda

Day 1 (45 min)

What is a butterfly cycle?

Look at the butterfly diagram

How does a butterfly fly?

Discuss the vocabulary words.

Day 2 ( 60 min)

Engineering a flying butterfly? share or present

Vocabulary

egg

caterpillar

crystalis

pupa

life cycle

butterfly

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

What is a Butterfly Life Cycle?

Do you know any other cycles?

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Vocabulary

eggs

butterfly

caterpillar

chrysalis/pupa

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Video - ( Life Cycle of the Butterfly)

https://youtu.be/3kZD6rlSLUw?si=gmrjaX-RDbsMQ5JN)

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How does a butterfly fly?

Do you think butterflies can fly without wings?

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We learned about the butterfly life cycle. We learned about how the butterfly flies. Now we will create our own butterfly and make it fly without helping it.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • Students will draw their idea.

  • Groups of 4 students will discuss their idea on how to make their butterfly move.

  • Students will choose their own materials to use to create their butterfly.

  • Students will design and create their butterfly.

  • Students will share and present their butterfly.

Materials included but not limited:

Sting, Paperclips, Magnets, Straws, Cardboards, Tape, Glue, Yard, Crayons, Markers, Construction Paper, and Drawing paper.

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Assessment

Students will have two assessments.

  1. Students will fill in a diagram of the butterfly cycle or draw and create their own.

2. Students will discuss and write about the butterfly.

3. Students will test their invention. They will explain how they designed the butterfly.

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Differentiation

Students who are having a difficult time will get help from their peers.

Students can copy an all ready made butterfly.

Students who are struggling with spelling/writing on the assessments can have help.

Extension/Enrichment

Students can create their own model of the Butterfly Life Cycle.

Students can add their butterfly invention to their

model.

Students will observe a real Butterfly Cycle and record their observations of the process in journals.

Butterfly Kit- Insect Lore