Becoming Butterflies...

We've been quite busy over here working on 'becoming butterflies'.  As we learn about patience, our explorations have led us to explore the phenomena of metamorphosis.  In addition to reading some great books like, It's a Butterfly's Life, Houdini the Amazing Caterpillar and The Prince of Butterflies, we had some friends over for some hands-on fun! 

I'm a big fan of making things hands-on and interactive.  This is just ever so much more fun than simply printing off a life cycle printable and gluing pre-designed pictures in order on a piece of paper or labeling some worksheet.  Not only is hands-on learning more fun, it is also a better way to boost long-term retention rates!  They simply learn better this way!

We started out by putting together the stages of a butterflies life to show the dad's later that day and anyone else who would listen to them share over the following week! 

 Nothing quite like the thrill of paint and googly eyes!  The kids enjoyed designing their own caterpillars!

After reviewing how caterpillars simple eyes (hence the googly eyes) then change to compound eyes during metamorphosis, the boys had fun adding left over jewels from our medieval celebrations onto their butterflies!

 But the highlight of the morning was when the boys dramatized the life-cycle of a butterfly.

First, there were five little eggs...

 That hatched and ate everything in sight.  They ate and molted and ate and molted. 

Before forming a chrysalis (or sliding feet first into a sleeping bag).

 
Wriggling, shaking, changing...

Before finally emerging with wings...

Discovering that this whole metamorphosis stuff is exhausting!!!

But worth it for these wriggly little boys! :)

I hope you enjoy a bit of hands-on adventures this week!

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