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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

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Life Cycle of a Butterfly

A First Grade STEM Lesson

Cristina Rapeta

January 2024

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Notes for Teachers

In this lesson, students will learn about and discuss the life cycle of a butterfly.

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They will then get 10 shapes total from teacher (circles and squares). They will use their math skills to make a number sentence to show they have a total of 10.

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They will then create a butterfly by gluing the shapes on the coffee filter and tying it with a pipe cleaner (see picture). They can add color with markers.

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After their butterflies are done, teacher will take a poll to see what shape was used the most. As a class, they will graph the data and answer questions about it.

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List of Materials

  • Book The Amazing Life Cycle of a Butterfly by Kay Branham (link to read aloud)
  • small circles and squares -you can print these slides on colored paper and cut out.
  • coffee filters (link to amazon)
  • markers
  • glue
  • pipe cleaners
  • chart paper to graph as a class

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AZ Standards

Life Science

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1.L1U1.6: Observe, describe, and predict life cycles of animals and plants

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Science and Engineering Practices

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Develop and use models

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Arizona ELA Standards

1.RI.1: Ask and answer questions, such as who, what, where, why, and how about key details in a text

Arizona Math Standards

1.OA.C.6: Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10

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1.MD.C.4: Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to 3 categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category, and how many more or less in one category than another

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Objective(s):

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I can answer questions on key details in a text.

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I can describe the life cycle of a butterfly.

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I can add items to equal 10.

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I can create a number sentence that equals 10.

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I can interpret data on a graph and answer questions about it.

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Agenda

*Each component has their own slide with accompanying notes and/or discussion questions in the presenter note part of each slide.*

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Anticipatory Set

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Read aloud

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Counting and number sentence to 10

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Create butterflies

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Plot and analyze data

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Reflection

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Read Aloud:

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Adding to 10

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Each student can get a total of 10 shapes from the teacher. There are circles and squares. You can get some of each, but the total must be 10.

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Activity

Show the final stage of a butterfly’s life cycle by creating wings using the materials provided. Once your wings are ready, the teacher can help you make a butterfly with a pipe cleaner and your wings.

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Supplies:

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markers

glue

coffee filter

shapes

pipe cleaner

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Criteria:

  • Must use all 10 shapes
  • You can use markers to add color to your wings

Constraints:

  • You can only use the shapes provided
  • You can only use one coffee filter
  • You can only use one pipe cleaner
  • Time

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Graphing Data

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Reflection:

What did you learn about butterflies today?

What is a number sentence that equals 10?

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Differentiation

For struggling students, you may:

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  • give them a predetermined combination of 10
  • pair them with a partner

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

  • For students that are very fluent with their adding skills, you can change their total to 20.
  • Students that are done early can create a visual that represents all four stages of a butterfly’s life cycle.