To the CCS First Grade Butterfly Project

April 2008

Each Spring the CCS First Graders enjoy watching the metamorphosis process with Painted Lady Butterflies.  We order the larva from a science company, and when our caterpillars arrive they are usually about as long and as round as a staple.  They develop quickly and by the time we've had them about a week or so, they are over an inch in length and about as round as a pencil.  Then, they gradually make their way to the top of their containers, hang upside down in the shape of a fish hook, and start to shed their outer layer of skin, leaving behind a beautiful chrysalis.  About a week later, the adult painted lady butterflies emerge.  This year, we had an amazing success rate with 29 out of 30 of our caterpillars making it to adulthood.

On Monday, April 6, 2008, we walked to the park across the street and released our butterflies into nature.  Below are some snapshots of the process and our celebration at the park.  Click on any thumbnail for a larger view, then click the back button to return to this page.

Below:  the miracle of metamorphosis!

 We had four especially 'sweet' butterflies - they were cakes that we took to the park to enjoy on our special butterfly day!

Our class at the park after our snacks and before we released the butterflies. 

We all got to enjoy the butterflies before they flew away!

We did some special art projects during our butterfly unit!

Thanks to the following website for the use of the great butterfly background: