LESSON PLAN

Lesson Topic:

Minibeast Butterfly Life Cycle Date:

27.11.14

VELS Domain(s):

Discipline-based Learning

Grade(s)/Year Level(s):

Grade 1

VEL Dimension(s):

English and Science

Duration of Lesson:

1 hour

Standard(s)/Learning Outcome(s):
Engage in shared and independent talking activities such as naming, describing and explaining.
Understanding that living things live in different places where their needs are met.
Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways such as oral and written
language, drawing and role-play.
Assessment:
Was the student able to sequence the stages of a life cycle correctly?
Did they participate in the song?
Did they stay on task and follow instructions accurately?
Teaching Focus:

Students construct a visual display of stages of a life cycle and will have the opportunity to explain
orally the development at each stage.

Lesson Resources:
(Optional) A copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle
Life cycle wheel template
Number spinner
Copies of The Butterfly Ballad (12)
Copies of the word search (22)
Answers sheet for the word search
Brass fasteners
Coloured pencils
Scissors
Content of Lesson:
A.

Introduction

3-5 mins

- If available, read The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

If it is, explain to students that they can see the life cycle of a butterfly in the story. Turn back to the
beginning of the book and point to the pictures that show each stageegg, caterpillar, cocoon and butterfly.
Explain to students that a butterfly cocoon is called a chrysalis.
- Continue on to song.

If its not available:

- Introduce the topic Butterfly life cycles. Last week we did symmetrical butterflies. Children may already
know the life cycle.
- Hand out copies of The Butterfly Ballad (one between two) to the whole class.
- Read it out firstly to them.
- Explain that it is to the Mary Had a Little Lamb tune (hum it so they know).
- Sing it all together.
- Collect song sheets.
B.

Development, Consolidation and Practice

20 mins

1. Explain Life Cycle Wheel activity

2. Tell students that they are going to create life cycle wheels to show the stages of a butterflys life.
3. Give each student a Life Cycle Wheel template and have students cut out the two wheels. (You may want to
cut out the wheels in advance for younger students.)
4. Invite students to color the pictures on the first wheel.
5. Have students cut out the window from the second wheel.
6. Help students place the second wheel on top of the first wheel. Push a brass fastener through the center of
the wheels to secure them together.
7. Demonstrate how to turn the bottom wheel so that each stage of the life cycle appears in the window.
Early Finishers Extension Activities

D.

Students who finish early, can do the Butterfly Life Cycle Word Search.
Closure

Reflect on lesson down on the floor. Was it enjoyable? Was it hard?

Select a students wheel to show the class.

Post Lesson Review and Evaluation:

Pupil Achievement

Teacher Effectiveness

5 mins

Associate Teachers Feedback:

27.11.14