This programme is designed to introduce the children to the concept of change and to explore the life cycle of a butterfly through activities and games.
Key concepts: change, seasonal changes, offspring, variety, camouflage
Leaning outcomes
By the end of these programme the children should be able to:
- Identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants
- Able to imaginatively illustrate and describe the life cycle of a butterfly
- Understand that caterpillars are part of a food chain: plant – caterpillar – sparrow
- Work in small groups to create a piece of artwork using natural materials
- Recognise that all living things need to be handled with care
Programme Outline
| Learning goals | Activities |
|---|---|
| Introduce the concept of change through the life cycle of a caterpillar | Life cycle story Read the story ‘The hungry caterpillar’ and to make sounds and actions. Change will be discussed through the story and a song with actions. |
| Green plants are eaten by caterpillars for food. Common plant identification. | Nibbled leaf clues A short activity where children are nature detectives and explore the local area to find evidence of hungry caterpillars. |
| Discuss that caterpillars are different colours and sizes. Which colours are easiest to find? Introduce the concept of camouflage | Colourful caterpillar camouflage game The children are sparrows that need to find lots of caterpillars to feed their hungry chicks! |
| To apply understanding about the butterfly life cycle. Name some body parts – antenna, body, head, wings, legs | Life cycle picture In small groups the children are asked to make a life cycle picture of a butterfly on the ground using natural materials. |
| A fun activity to reinforce and assess learning points of the programme | Life cycle relay race In small groups the children ‘hop, skip and jump’ to collect life cycle pictures which they then put into the correct order. |
| To assess understanding of learning points of the programme Could introduce a predator for discussion |
Conclusion The children act out the caterpillar life cycle and share interesting facts and discoveries. |
This programme can be adapted to look at the life cycle of a frog, ladybird, bee and plants.