Painted Lady Butterflies

The Butterfly

The butterfly came to visit me.

First it landed on my knee,

Then it went to taste my toes,

Then it landed on my nose. 

We concluded our year in the primary classroom and our study of insects by watching the life cycle of Painted Lady Butterflies. The project was very symbolic of our time in the primary classroom. Just as the caterpillars grew and transformed into butterflies, the children in the primary classroom learned and grew on their Montessori journey throughout their time at Meadowbrook. Along the way the philosophy and curriculum fostered their curiosity about the world around them, built independence and self determination, allowed friendships to blossom, and cultivated a love of learning.

"Education should no longer be mostly imparting knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentials." -Maria Montessori 

Our butterfly larva arrived about a month ago. We watched as the caterpillars ate and ate to store up enough energy for their metamorphosis, the change from caterpillar to butterfly. For a few weeks they did nothing but eat and grow. During this time of growth, the caterpillars also molted two to three times. When it was time to pupate, the caterpillars made their way to the bottom of the lid of their little habitat. They hung upside down in an L shape and shed their skin one last time before forming chrysalises. During the process the children learned about the parts of a caterpillar and a butterfly. They learned that the Painted Lady caterpillars have six legs and ten pro legs (which are like little hooks). The Painted Lady Butterfly has six legs and no longer has pro legs. 

We also learned how to care for our butterflies. We prepared the butterfly garden habitat and placed sponges full of sugar water and watermelon in the bottom to feed the butterflies. We learned that a butterfly tastes with it's proboscis (tongue). 

Over a weekend the first butterflies emerged from their chrysalises and first thing each morning upon arriving to school the children excitedly checked on the butterflies. The Kindergarten children created Butterfly Journals, we created booklets by coloring and labeling the parts of a butterfly, we read a lot about common garden butterflies, sang songs and recited poems about butterflies. 

On the last day of school the primary class released the butterflies. Before the butterflies flew out of their butterfly garden the children wanted to sing to them. We decided to recite the poem "The Butterfly" and we sang our classroom "peace words." At the end of each morning circle throughout the year we recited these "peace words." Click "Read More" below to see photos from the butterfly release. 

May peace be before you, 

Behind you, 

Above you, 

Below you, 

Inside you, 

and all around you. 

From your lips, 

To your friends, 

From your heart, 

To your friends, 

Until we meet again. 

Photos from our Painted Lady Butterfly Release