COCOONS AND BUTTERFLIES
Submitted by: Katherine Robertson and Dawn Hagan
This is a cheaper alternative then ordering butterflies and it also takes as long as the teacher desires.
At the beggining of the week have the children paint clothes pins balck and then let them dry. Wrap the clothespins with tissue paper afterward and attach it to a green construction paper 'leaf'.
Then have the children colr on coffee filters.(these will be made into butterflies at the end of the project.)
At the end of the week, while the children are napping, take tissue paper off and put the coffe filter in the clothespin to make a butterfly. add antenna's and place it back on the tissue paper and back to where they were displayed all week (somewhere in classroom is best). After nap on the last day, have the children un-wrap there "cocoon" to reveal their beautiful butterflies.
We have done this with two year olds and they really enjoy it.
BUTTERFLY SNACKS
Fill
a Ziploc bag with a brightly colored healthy snack like yogurt covered
raisins or colored goldfish. Cinch the middle of the
bag with a piece of yarn leaving the ends long enough to resemble antennae.
BUTTERFLIES
Submitted by Marilyn
I take a square piece of cardboard (about 8 x 8 inches) and cover it
with colorful tissue paper. (One square for each child.) Then
I make Pasta bowtie butterflies. Take the bowtie pasta and place
it in a plastic bag. Add a squirt of desired food coloring and
a splash of alcohol. Shake the bag well. Then lay the pasta
out on newspaper overnight to dry. I make lots of pasta butterflies
in yellow, red, green and blue. I mix colors too to make purple
and orange. Color your glue in spring colors. Take thin
twigs and have the children glue then to the cardboard square and
also the colorful pasta.
BUTTERFLY WINGS
Submitted by Theresa
Creative movement
materials: streamers cut into strips about 10" to 15", tape,
computer paper, and record of classical music (your choice)
procedure: make two long cuffs for each child's lower arm out of the
computer paper and tape four or five strips of streamers on each, being sure
that the streamers are flowing freely.
when music is played, children can move around the room, fluttering their "wings."
Title: Butterfly
Submitted by Peg
Tune: itsy Bitsy Spider
The little butterfly has lots and lots of colors
I saw it out the window on a sunny day
He opened up his wings to show us all his colors
The wind began to blow and the butterfly flew away.
Butterfly Life
Cycle Bracelet
Submitted by Deb
Take one pipe cleaner, 1 white pony bead to represent the egg,
1 red pony bead to represent the head of the caterpillar, 3 green
pony beads to represent the caterpillar's body, a glitter
bead to represent the chrysalis, and 1 butterfly bead at
the end. After the children are done with the bracelet
we ask them individually to tell us about their life cycle bracelet. The
kids love their bracelets and are so proud of them.
TIN FOIL BUTTERFLIES
Submitted by Cheryl
Supplies Needed
Tin Foil
Tempra Paint (I use Primary colors. The children can
experence the science of mixing colors.)
Liquid Dish washing soap ( This keeps the paint from flaking off the
tin foil!)
Add Liquid soap to tempra paint. Then allow the children to paint on
a large sqare of tin foil. Allow to dry. When it is dry help the children
fold their painted tin foil square like a fan. Pinch the middle and spread
out the butterfly's wings. Place a pipe cleaner or colored wire for antenna's. Wow! Beautiful
Butterfly!
HANDI-PILLARS
Paper
Paint
Markers
To make this very cute caterpillar, make a palm print with yellow paint
to represent the caterpillar's head. Use a different color of
paint to make each hand print segment of the caterpillar's body, creating
a pattern. When the paint is dry, use a marker to add more details.
CUPCAKE LINER BUTTERFLIES
Items Required:
cup cake liners markers
crayons pipe cleaners
1. Flatten out cupcake liners and color with markers or crayons.
2. Pinch liners in the center and wrap with pipe cleaners using the
left over to make antennae.
BUTTERFLY CAKE
This cake is both simple and pretty. Bake a vanilla cake mix into
two round layer pans. (you will only need one of the layers for this
cake - enjoy the other layer with your family). Cut the cooled,
round layer in half and turn
the curved edge of the halves of the cake towards one another so that the curved
parts are touching. (this will form the wings of the butterfly) Then place
a Twinkie in the center of the cake right where the curves touch (this
will form the body of the butterfly) Stick two pieces of long licorice
in the top of the Twinkie to make an antenna. Then ice the entire cake
with your favorite frosting. Decorate with M&Ms, or any other colorful
candy.
The children just LOVE this and it makes a wonderful treat for a Spring party.
BUTTERFLY SONG
Pretty Butterfly...
(Up on the House Top(Christmas Song)
First comes a butterfly and lays an egg,
Out comes the caterpillar with many legs.
Oh, see the caterpillar spin and spin,
A little cocoon (chrysalis) to sleep in.
Oh, oh, oh, look and see
Oh, oh, oh, look and see
Out of the cocoon (chrysalis) my, oh, my
Out comes a pretty butterfly.
Make Butterfly Life Cycle Books.
1. Butterfly Felt Board Activity (see songs and finger plays).
2. Give the children a copy of an empty Jar pattern, and ask them to
create a bug no one has ever seen before. Then have them tell you
about their bug and write it down for them. Cut out the bug jar
and have them glue it to a piece of construction paper and attach the
information
about their bug to it also.
3. Give each child a *"B" picture and talk about the letter "B" and how bug starts
with "B" and what bug is the letter "B" named after? Well a BumbleBee of
course. then have everyone "b-b-b-buzz" like a bee. Ask them what sound the
letter "B" makes? Have them practice the b sound by pretending to be bees. I
like to turn a "B" side ways and show them that the letter "B" even kind of looks
like a bee. Give each child a bee sticker to place on their picture.
Butterfly Toast
Cut toast into a butterfly shape, and let the kids paint it with butter
colored with food coloring.
Color Butterflies
The first to come to the garden bed
Is a lovely butterfly of brilliant red.
Then in comes another and that makes two,
Fly right in, my friend of blue.
"The garden is fine, the best I've seen,"
Says the butterfly of springtime green.
Our garden needs a sunshiny fellow,
Fly in, butterfly with wings of yellow.
Little friend of purple, fly in too,
This garden is waiting for a color like you.
Orange, orange, you've waited so long,
Fly right in where you belong.
Butterflies, butterflies, you're such a sight,
Flying together-a springtime delight!
Susan M. Paprocki
(Felt Board Activity: Cut out Butterflies from felt for each color
named, and place on felt board as you read the poem.)
LIVE COCOONS TO BUTTERFLIES
Submitted by Marilyn
The number for the butterflies is 1-800-live-bug. It is a very
enjoyable activity for both the teacher and the children. The entire
process, from start to finish is approximately 17-20 days. That
is relatively short. When you place the order over the phone, ask
the person about the temperature requirements. I only know that
it has to be at least 55 degrees to release
them into the air.
There are so many wonderful activities that you can work into the development
of the butterflies that it is almost endless. We have a releasing "ceremony" on
the day that we let the butterflies go and invite the moms to attend. It
is special. Please contact me if I can help you with anything else.
Releasing Butterflies
Today was the day to release our butterflies back to nature. Since we have
been enjoying watching their development, I wanted to make something special
for the occasion. It was a beautiful day in New York just right to set
them free.
BUTTERFLIES
Submitted by Marilyn
Our butterfly larvae has arrived and we are working on our butterfly
unit.
The children really enjoy watching the changes that are beginning to take place. Last
year's class was amazed at the formation of the crystalisis (sp?). So.......
at circle time I invited those children who wanted to, to pretend to be the
butterfly waiting to be born. I gave the child a light scarf to hold
and then GENTLY wrapped the standing child with toilet tissue.
(do not cover the face) I put on some soft, light music and when the
child was ready, he/she stretched and tore through the toilet paper then moved around
the room waving the scarf. The children really liked this activity and
we continued it every day until all the butterflies had hatched.
BUTTERFLY POEMS/FINGER PLAYS
Submitted by Susan
Caterpillar, warm and furry
You are always in a hurry
Munching, munching, munching leaves
Eating anytime you please.
Caterpillar, warm and furry
You are growing in a hurry
Curl up tight, snug and warm
You'll be safe from summer storm
Butterfly, butterfly,
Where do you roam?
Who's lucky garden do you call your own?
Butterfly, butterfly
Why won't you stay?
Why are you always,
Fluttering away?
Butterflies
Baggie Butterflies:
Fill a snack size ziploc bag with scarps of tissues paper and cellophane
and then gather them together at the middle with half a pipe cleaner.
Twist and bend the stem into antennae.
Fluttering Butterflies Snack:
Margarine or butter
¼ C. finely chopped nuts
48 small twisted pretzels
½ of a 14 oz. package vanilla caramels
1 T. milk
1 T. margarine or butter
48" red or black shoestring licorice cut into 1" pieces
½ of a 6 oz. pkg. of chocolate chips (1/2 cup)
Grease a large baking sheet. For the base of each butterfly, sprinkle about ½ t.
of finely chopped nuts in a small circle on the greased sheet. Space circles
2" apart. Make wings by arranging 2 pretzels together atop a nut circle, set
aside. Combine caramels, milk, and the 1 T margarine or butter in a 4-C. liquid
measure. Microwave uncovered on high for 1-½ minutes. Use a scraper
to stir till smooth. If caramels aren't soft enough microwave for 30-60 more
seconds. Spoon 1 t. of mixture onto each set of two pretzels. For antennae
press 2 pieces of licorice into each butterfly. Chill until firm. Put the chocolate
pieces into a 2 C. liquid measuring cup and microwave on high for 1-1 ½ minutes
or until melted. Spoon about ½ t. onto each butterfly and chill until
firm. Makes 24.
A Fun Caterpillar:
You will need a straw that has a paper covering. Squish the paper covering
down to the bottom of the straw. (Just as if you were going to use it) Take
the straw paper the rest of the way off. You should have a little squished
tunnel resembling a caterpillar. Now, take a drop or two of water and drop
it right onto this paper caterpillar. Look--IT MOVES--Just like a caterpillar.
Estimation:
Estimation jar filled with caterpillars (those styrofoam peanuts again, decorated
with dots and lines).
BUTTERFLY BULLETIN BOARD
I used a popsicle stick and placed pom poms on it to make the caterpillar
body. Added wiggle eyes and pipe cleaner for the antennae. Painted
a toilet paper roll brown for a cocoon.
Used an old fashioned clothes pin ... again tying the pipe cleaner on
top for antennae (on the round end) Then in the slit I folded colored
tissue paper like a fan and slid it in the slot. I opened it up
and poooof a butterfly...
Connect all of the with a pipe cleaner ... one end of the pipe cleaner
through the tiny slot in between the pom pom and the craft stick...Then
the other end through the toilet paper roll ... the other end of the
pipe cleaner gets folded over the end of the roll to secure it and slide
the butterfly right over it (through the slit in the clothes pin) ...
it is a representation of the caterpillar making it's cocoon and coming
out a butterfly...
BUTTERFLY IDEAS FROM MAILBOX
Submitted by Sandra
Busy Butterflies
Emphasize positional words and following directions with this interactive
game. Cut flowers from colored construction paper. Laminate the flowers;
then use Sticky-Tac to attach them to your chalkboard at varying heights.
Use green chalk to add stems, leaves, and grass. Allow children to take
turns using a small butterfly from a craft store to follow oral directions.
For example, tell a student, "Fly the butterfly to the orange flower" or "Make
the butterfly land between the red and blue flowers." Your little ones
will go buggy over this game!
Citrus Snacks
Serve a springtime snack that resembles a beautiful butterfly. Peel several oranges
and divide them into halves. Separate each half into sections containing two
segments each. Being careful not to pull the segments completely apart, pull
each section partially apart, starting from the inside where the seeds are and
going toward the outside where the peel was. Lay each set of orange segments
on a small paper plate; then give one plate to each student. Have each youngster
add two short lengths of string licorice to resemble the butterfly's antennae.
What a juicy creation!
Feet Aflutter
Step right into a tactile experience that results in a collection of one-of-a-kind
butterflies. To make one butterfly, have each student step into a shallow pan
of tempera paint with one bare foot and then press that paint covered foot onto
a sheet of construction paper. Repeat the process with the other foot as shown.
When the footprints dry, cut loosely around them. Then cut out a construction
paper butterfly body and glue it between the two footprints. (If your youngsters'
abilities permit, this is a great time to talk about left and right--and backwards!)
For a colorful spring display, mount the completed butterflies around a construction
paper tree.
LIFE CYCLE WITH MACARONI
Submitted by Peg
Put it all on a paper plate divided into 4 plates.
For eggs - use rice
Caterpillar - use spiral
Cocoon - use shell
Butterfly - Bowtie
Isn't this the best............
How To Order Butterflies
Submitted by Marilyn
Each year my class experiences the real life changes of the butterfly. We
order the butterfly kit, which is extremely simple to do, and the children
look with anticipation at the changes that take place. It is
only $21.95 for the kit: cage and live culture and then you can reorder
the larvae each year for $13.95. This is simple and easy for
everyone to do. The # is 800-LIVE-BUG.
For Language and letter recognition. Cut a blue piece of
construction paper in half. Cut two inch piece the length
of the blue piece and make that grass.
Cut letter "c" shapes out and make a caterpillar ( CCCCCCC )
Make a face and some antenna's. Let the cut the gras only one inch and let
them curl it with a pencil.
Make "cereal sow bugs" I like using cookie crisp cereal. Use a
blunt needle and thread and string the pieces of cereal loosely on a double
thread. Tie off. hand from the ceiling.
Tissue Paper Butterflies: Cut butterfly shapes from white construction
paper. Set out assorted colors of 1 inch tissue paper squares, small
containers of water and paintbrushes. Have the children paint the butterfly
shapes with water and place the tissue paper squares randomly on the
shapes. Hve them count to ten, then remove the wet tissue paper to view
their colorful creations.
Clothespin Butterflies: Cut various colors of tissue paper into
12 inch squares. Set out slot type clothespins, colored pipe cleaners
and assorted felt tip markers. Have the children pinch their tissue squares
together in the middle and then insert the tissue into the slots of their
clothespins to make wings. Have them wind pipe cleaners around the heads
of their clothespins, leaving two small ends sticking up to form antennae.
Let the children use felt tip markers to draw designs on the clothespin
bodies of their butterflies. Then tie the butterflies to lengths of fishing
line or string and hang them from the ceiling or in a window.
Ink Blot Butterflies: Spread newspapers on a table. Set out tempera
paints in individual containers with an eyedropper in each. Let the children
use the eyedroppers to drop paint onto pieces of drawing paper and help
them fold the papers in half. Have the children press and smooth their
papers, then unfold them to reveal the designs they have made. When the
paint has dried, cut the papers into butterfly shapes.
Cut three paper plates into four sections each to make six pairs of
butterfly wings. Draw from one to six circles on each pair of wings.
Cut 3 inch slits in opposite sides each of six empty toilet tissue tubes.
Give the children the butterfly wings and empty tubes. Let them take
turns finding matching pairs of wings and inserting them in the slits
to make butterflies. VARIATIONS: Make wings for matching colors,
shapes, patterns or alphabet letters.
The Life Of A Butterfly (Skip to My Lo)
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
What'll I be, my darlin'?
A chrysalis, now sleep like me.....
What'll I be, my darlin'?
A butterfly, come fly with me...
Come fly with me my darlin'.
Now all together, lets do all three.
A caterpillar, a chrysalis, a butterfly -- three.
Move your body like this with me.
The life of a butterfly, darlin'.
Fly, Fly, Butterfly (Skip To My Lo)
Fly, fly, butterfly,
Fly, fly, butterfly,
Fly, fly, butterfly,
Fly up in the sky so high.
Flitter, flitter, butterfly...
Flitter and fly up in the sky.
Oh my, butterfly...
Do you always fly so high?
Caterpillars to Butterflies
Submitted by Jean
I took two of the ideas I have found and combined them for a great effect. My
preschoolers painted sections of egg cartons green for caterpillars (we
used sections of 3). After they dried, we put on the antennas,
drew a face on, and then wrapped them up in toilet paper for their cocoon. We
placed them in a dark place for a few days so they could sleep (but really
so I could get to them without the children noticing). When the caterpillars
were sleeping, I took the coffee filter idea and used food color to make
pretty patterns. These were to be the butterflies wings. Without
the children knowing, I glued the "wings" to their caterpillars and rewrapped
them in their cocoons. All that week we talked about what might happen
to our caterpillars and other changes we were noticing outside, and finally
we decided that the caterpillars had slept long enough and we should
wake them up. You would not believe the excitement there was as
each child unwrapped his/her caterpillar and found a beautiful butterfly
there in its place! It really went well and I enjoyed anticipating
their reaction to the metamorphosis.
BUTTERFLIES
Submitted by Nancy
a different way to make a pretty butterfly is by cutting all kinds
of shapes (small or even paper punch shapes or circles) of MANY colors
and after you have allot put them in a baggie. add a little confetti
and glitter if desired . close baggie. twist a twistie around the center
so you have 2 wings equal size. and attach it to a popsicle stick or
tongue depressor. (About 1/3 down ) with the twistie or glue it on.
put a face on one end of stick add a couple wiggle eyes if desired
and add attenas .pipe cleaner. I like to use a old fashion clothes
pen the best if you have any and push the filled baggie up in it and
it is easy to attach atena around the ball part. put a face on the
ball part.
BUTTERFLIES
Submitted by Betty
I do a really neat (but, unfortunately, teacher prepared) butterfly
puppet with my class every year and it is a tremendous hit. We
use it with Sharon Lucky's song, "Benjamin" (Melody House). Take
a 1 1/2 x 6 " strip of black construction paper for each child. Cut
lots of colors of 1 1/2 x 4" strips. Have the child pick
four colors of the 4" lengths. Then loop them and staple them
on to the 6" black strip to look like a caterpillar if you lay it flat
_OOOO_ Leave a little at each end. It helps to start stapling
the loops from the center out. This is all you do, but it is how you
manipulate it makes it sooo cool! The above is the
caterpillar stage. For the cocoon stage, wrap the loops up inside of
the black strip, bringing the ends together. Then unfold it, bend it
backwards (in half) to create the butterfly (loops as the wings). The
children love to do this in the air...the caterpillar wiggles, the
butterfly can flit and fly, and the cocoon rests gently. If you
can find the music, it is beautiful..and better yet, they learn the
word "Metamorphoses"!
BUTTERFLIES & INSECTS
Submitted by Karen
We begin our week reading THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR. We make
the circle caterpillar (I give the kids lots of color circles to glue
on and form a caterpillar, and two wiggly eyes.) We then take
a window screen tool (the rolling plastic device) and dip it in green
paint and they paint "grass" around their caterpillar with it. Some
add antennae with a magic marker.
In our dramatic play center, we have collected "angel wings" that parents have
donated from past plays, etc., and turn on classical music for the kids to "fly" to.
In our science center, we have magnifying glasses out, along with butterfly
specimens that the kids have found, and if we're lucky, a caterpillar or two!
At circle time, I give each child a "half" of a butterfly that matches only
one other child's (you could color these from a pattern and cut in half, or
use wallpaper samples), and we turn on the classical music. The children "fly" around,
and when the music stops, they have to find the other half of their butterfly.
For a math activity, using a butterfly bulletin board border, cut out
the individual butterflies and laminate, then have the children form patterns
with them. They could also sort them according to types, colors, etc.
As a second art project, we are making hand print butterflies. I
will give the children two small "squirt bottles" ; one filled with red, and
the other yellow paint. Using their dominant hand, they can squirt drops
of paint onto their other hand, and then place their hands together and rub
around until they're completely covered in paint. The red and yellow
will mix in some areas, creating orange as well. Then they will open
their hands and place them on a white sheet of paper, palms down, thumbs aligned
and touching so that the hands are going to form the wings. Once their
hands are on the paper, fan the fingers to fill in the wings. If you
have access to "Biocolor" paints, they are really bright and the colors remain
true, but temperas will work, too!
Butterfly song (to "I had a little turtle...")
I saw a little caterpillar wiggle up a tree.
He wiggled short, he wiggled long,
He wiggled right to me!
I put it in a covered box. "Don't go away," I said.
But when I opened up the box, a butterfly instead!
I could never understand it. Not even if I tried.
Only God in heaven could make a butterfly!
BUTTERFLIES UNIT
Submitted by Kathy
Art Project: "Clothespin Butterfly"
Materials needed: glue, scissors, clothespin, 2 1/4" eyes, 1
1" pom pom, 4 pieces of brightly colored tissue paper (wings), 2 round
brightly colored stickers 3/4" wide, 1 4 1/2" pipe cleaner (antennae)
Directions
Cut wings from tissue paper (draw a stencil to copy on oak tag) and layer them
on top of each other
Crinkle wings at center and fasten with clothespin Separate tissue paper
layers to make them look pretty
Put stickers on wings
Glue on pom pom head and eyes opening clothespin slightly center pipe cleaner
just behind pom pom head and close clothespin Twist pipe cleaner together on
top of clothespin and curl each end to look like antenna
" Pretty Blue Butterfly" Poem
Pretty blue butterfly, spread your wings, and glide, glide, glide
Pretty blue butterfly, flap your wings
fly higher and higher up into the sky
Now butterfly, fold your wings tight and fall and roll and drift to the
earth, and rest on a leaf for awhile, then dust yourself off and
fly, fly, fly
Fly my little butterfly, fly to the right
fly to the left and twirl, twirl, twirl
Pretty blue butterfly, beautiful blue butterfly come, sit in the circle and
rest
(can use scarves, rags, streamers and crepe paper to help carry out actions
in the poem)
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