LEARNING ABOUT LIFE CYCLES

2ND GRADE
*BIG IDEA: LIFECYCLES
*21ST CENTURY ART APPROACH: MODIFIED LEARNERS CHOICE

By: Carrie Duffek, Lindsay Irwin and Sarah Kaiser

 Assigned Reading...
When Is Creativity?
What is learners choice?
How can creativity be encouraged in
the classroom setting?
What is Intrinsic motivation? Extrinsic motivation?
Is learners Choice a positive or a negative tool to use
in a classroom?
How does the teachers role shift in Learners choice?
 Lesson Lesson
Overview Objectives
What is a butterfly and caterpillar?
The student will be able to
Learning about what a life cycle is.
Learning the order of a butterfly's Read and explain the word
lifecycle. and process of a lifecycle
Reading The Very, Hungry
Create an art studio with
caterpillar
Learners Choice Approach
Discuss Artist Inspiration, Eric Carle
Demonstration Understand and make a
Group assessment lifecycle model
Studio Investigation
Clean up and Class Share
 Essential Vocabulary
questions 1.Lifecycles: the series of changes
in the life of an organism, including
reproduction.
2. Learner directed: a process by
What is a lifecycle? which individuals take the
What is evolution? initiative, without the assistance of
others
What is life? 3.Individually: one by one; singly;
separately.
How do butterflies 4. Diagram: a simplified drawing
change as they go showing the appearance,
structure, or workings of something;
through their a schematic representation.
lifecycle? 5.Texture: the feel, appearance, or
consistency of a surface or a
substance.
Butterfly
Caterpillar
 A life cycle is the evolution an animal
goes through.

Evolution is the change different kinds of

living organisms go through to transform into
another version of itself.

Life is the existence of an individual human

being or animal.
Life cycle worksheet and facts
Volunteers for Class
demonstration
 Life Cycle Facts
Once the egg hatches a baby caterpillar will eat everything
it sees
The chrysalis is like a shelter and provides the baby
caterpillar with everything it needs
The chrysalis hangs upside down in a tree
Once the butterfly is hatched it spends a few minuets to dry
its wings and then finds a nice area to lay its own eggs and
start the cycle again.
California butterfly?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Volunteers to help explain the book
and Book Discussion
Eric Carle
 Eric Carle Facts
Born in New York in 1929, he is now 88
He moved to Germany in his youth, graduated art
school there
Moved back to NYC and worked as a graphic
designer for the NY Times
He has a unique and colorful style
He loves nature and gets his story ideas from the
outdoors
He has written about 78 books
Uses multiple medias to create his artwork such as his
hands, tissues papers, sponges and brushes.
Artwork from Eric
Carle
 What order does the butterfly cycle
go in?
One person from each group grab a giant piece of white
paper on the back counter
Divide the paper into 4 parts with a marker and draw a giant
circle in the middle
Draw a butterfly in the middle circle
One the top left square draw the 1st phase of the butterfly life
cycle,
Top right is the 2nd phase of the cycle
Bottom left is the 3rd phase of the cycle
The bottom right is the 4th phase of the phase
At the bottom of the page leave space to write facts about
the butterfly and its cycle as well as any questions you have.
 Materials
Colored pom- Buttons
poms
Feathers Sequins
Glitter Scissors
Glitter glue
Tissue paper Paint
Markers
Pipe cleaners
Googly eyes
Poster paper Ribbon
 Studio:
1. Work Individually
2. Get a large piece of white paper with a butterfly traced on it
3. Cut out the butterfly carefully, write name on back
4. Call a teacher over to punch holes in the bottom of it for you
5. Dont decorate over the holes
6. Decorate the butterfly with textures and multiple colors from the back table
7. Take your time
8. Get pre-cut ribbon when the butterfly is decorated and tie it onto the 4 holes at bottom to
hang life cycle order
9. Get an egg, caterpillar, cocoon and butterfly mini paper, punch holes in tops of them tie to
the other end of the hanging ribbon
10. Once tied on decorate them the same way you did with the butterfly
11. Once completed hand to a teacher to hang up in the window.
12. Clean up put supplies back where you found them, show and tell at end