Creativity and Butterflies

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Date: 1994

Grade Level(s): 2, 3, 4, 5

Subject(s):

• Science/Entomology
• Language Arts
• Interdisciplinary

OVERVIEW: Children love to study butterflies and use their imagination. This lesson gives them the opportunity to do both.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this activity, used during a study of insects, is to provide a way to have all students use the basic objectives of creativity, to provide for the basic needs of gifted children and to also give your nonscientist a chance to shine, in an area that all kids enjoy.

OBJECTIVE(s):

1. Fluency:

ACTIVITY:

Butterflies are flying insects. Make a list of 8-50 other insects that fly.

2. Elaboration:

ACTIVITY:

Caterpillars have 6 legs. Design and draw 3 pairs of shoes, socks or gloves for them to wear. Make a model of at least one pair.

3. Flexibility:

ACTIVITY:

Butterfly eggs hatch on their own on plants. What are 5 things a soon-to-be hatched chrysalis should know?

Make a tiny book about these facts for the butterfly to read as soon as it emerges.

4. Originality:

ACTIVITY:

Butterflies taste with their feet. Think of five ways your life would be different if you tasted with your feet. Write a poem, cinquain, haiku, etc. about the differences in your life.

5. Risk Taking:

ACTIVITY:

An adventurous moth decides to fly during the daytime. What 3 things does he fear most. Write a song about them.

6. Imagination:

ACTIVITY:

What does a butterfly dream about when it is in the chrysalis stage? Draw a picture of the chrysalis and its dream.

7. Complexity:

ACTIVITY:

In the year 2020 A.D. all of the butterflies were killed by a mysterious virus from outer space. How did this change the life of the humans in the United States. Write a newspaper headline and article about this event.

8. Curiosity:

ACTIVITY:

Adult monarch butterflies have never been to their winter home. Thing of at least 5 questions they would ask a travel guide and make a travel brochure to answer the questions.

Normal classroom supplies and some kind of cloth/suede etc. for activity #2.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:

1. Make a bulletin board to display work.

2. Display little books in library.

3. Send travel brochures to local travel agent and ask that they be displayed.

4. Send poems to local paper for publication.

5. Ask music teacher or a student to compose music for songs. Sing some at a school assembly.