Book Title

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Content Area
English Language Arts, Science

Grade Levels
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Prek-3rd

Learning Targets
Activity 1-2: Students build/illustrate their favorite food.
Activity 3-4: Students write about their favorite food.
Activity 5-7: Students trace food words.
Activity 8-9: Students write a list of rhyming words.
Activity 10: Students write a list of synonyms.
Activity 11: Students create similes.
Activity 12: Students sequence the butterfly life cycle.
Activity 13: Students complete a venn diagram.

Materials Needed:
pencil, scissors, glue

Tech Tip:
Use this interactive website (click here) as
an additional resource to your lesson.
Play Mat: Cut out plate and laminate. Students build their favorite meal using clay.
 Draw a picture of your favorite meal on the plate.
Name: _________________________________
Name: ______________________________

Draw your favorite food on the plate below.

Then explain why it is your favorite.

My favorite food is ___________________________

I like it because ______________________
______________________________
Name: _________________________________

Draw your favorite meal on the plate below.

Then explain why it is your favorite and the main ingredients.

My favorite meal is ____________________________

I like it because ______________________

______________________________
It is made with ______________________
______________________________
Name: ___________________________________

Color and trace the food that the caterpillar ate.

Name: ___________________________________

Color and trace the food that the caterpillar ate.

Name: ___________________________________

Add the short vowel sounds. Trace the whole word.

pl__m

p_ckle

m__ffin

__pple
Name: ____________________________
Rhyme Time #1
Directions: Read the word at the head of each caterpillar.
Write rhyming words in the following ovals.

at

log

bug
Name: ____________________ Rhyme Time #2
Directions: Read the word at the head of each
caterpillar. Write rhyming words in the following ovals.

very

egg

still

ate

hole
Name: _______________________ Slithering Synonyms
Directions: Read the word at the head of each
caterpillar. Write synonyms in the following ovals.

big

very

y
yumm

like
Name: ____________________ A simile compares two different things or
objects using words ‘as’ or ‘like’.

Silly Similes
Create your own similes based on items from the book.

My sunburn is as red as an apple.

___________________ is as __________________ as an apple.

___________________ is as _________________ as caterpillar.

___________________ is as _________________ as a butterfly.

_________________ is as _______________ as a slice of cake.

___________________ is as __________________ as a pickle.

____________________ is as __________________ as salami.

My pocket has holes like a piece of Swiss cheese.

_____________________________ like Swiss cheese.

________________________ like ice cream on a hot day.
___________________________ like eating juicy watermelon.

_________________________ like sleeping in a soft cocoon.

_________________________ like a beautiful butterfly.

____________________________ like a reading great book.
Name: ______________________

Butterfly Life Cycle

Read the life cycle stages below. Then, cut and paste the picture onto the matching description.

laid on
leaves by a
butterfly

full grown, hatched

can lay from an
eggs egg

changes
inside a
cocoon
 Compare and contrast a caterpillar and a butterfly.
Name: ___________________
both
 K-2
Discussion Questions
Before Reading:
• Describe what you see on the front cover.
• Have you read any books by Eric Carle before? If so, which ones?
• What do you know about caterpillars?
• Why do you think the caterpillar is so hungry?
• Do you think you will like this book? Why or why not?

While Reading:
• Describe the illustrations. What do you notice about them?
• What do you notice about the missing shape on each fruit? Why is
that shape missing?
• Describe the setting.
• By Wednesday, what has the caterpillar eaten? What do you think
it will eat next?
• What do you notice about the type of foods the caterpillar has
eaten by Friday?
• Why do you think the caterpillar feels much better on Sunday?
• Define cocoon. What context clues help you understand the
meaning of this word?

After Reading:
• Could this story happen in real life? Why or why not?
• What was the problem? What was the solution?
• Were any of your predictions correct? If so, which ones?
• Did you expect the caterpillar to turn into a butterfly at the end of
the story? Why or why not?
• Which food in the story is YOUR favorite? Why?
• How did the main character change throughout the story?
 Pro m p t s
Wr i t i ng
r f e c t m e al.
r i b e y o u r pe E x p l a in
● De s c r i te foo d ?
r fa v o
W h a t is you o rite.
● y o u r f a v fl i es
y i t i s is b u t t e r
wh r p i l l a r s a nd
o w a r e cate e y d i ff e re nt?
● H H o w a r e th ew
h e s a m e ? t r i e d a n
t t i m e you
t e a bou t a
● W r i
food. d i ff e r e n t
t h e s t o r y in a r p i l l ar
w r i te c a te
● Re re x a m p l e : the
setting (fo y s t o r e o r an
t t h e g r o cer
is a p a rk)
u s e m e n t t d o y o u
a m t o r y. W h a
in ue t h e s
● C o n t d i d n e x t?
e b u t t erfl y for
think t h i re c t i o n s
p b y s te pd d w ich
r i t e s te i te s a n
● W d y o u r f a vor
il
how to bu
or salad. c le of a
E x p l a i n the l if e c y
K - 2
● .
caterpillar
 No Print Novelties
Use these low prep and no print activities at home and school.

We’re Going on a Picnic:

This whole group memory game incorporates alphabetical order
and listening skills.

Students will…
● Sit in a circle.
● The first student starts by saying the prompt, “We’re
going on a picnic and I’m bringing…” They then say a
food that starts with the letter ‘a’ (eg: apple).
● The next student repeats the prompt, “We’re going on a
picnic and I’m bringing an apple…”, then they say
a food that starts with a ‘b’ (eg. banana).
● This continues in alphabetical order around the
circle until someone forgets the list or you finish the
alphabet.

Home Challenge

Use this interactive website

(click here) to review and
categorize food groups.