Early Childhood Technology Literacy Grant Lesson Plans Title of Lesson: Comparing Butterflies Grade: Second Unit(s): Reading/LA: Reading to be informed, Writing to inform, Writing a letter Science: The Life Cycle of Butterflies (National Science Resource Center/STC unit) Developed by: Marion Gresham, Lynne Todd, and Pat Carlson, Fox Chapel ES Edited by: Bonny Chambers Concepts and Outcomes: Students will: • identify the four stages in the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. • use electronic and print resources to find and compare information. • use a graphic organizer to record information. • communicate information in writing. • compare the Monarch Butterfly to the Painted Lady Butterfly Materials: photographs or pictures of two butterflies Monarch Butterfly, by Gail Gibbons Sammy's Science House CD-Rom Research and Learning Hub computers Assorted print materials about butterflies Graphic organizer Student Science logs, journals or notebooks National Geographic Monarch Butterflies Kit Listening station or tape player Opening Set: Begin the lesson by showing students photographs or pictures of two different butterflies. Compare the characteristics of the two butterflies, noting similarities and differences. Brainstorm, as a class, butterfly characteristics that students have observed with their butterflies in class. Explain that there are different kinds of butterflies and they are not all exactly like the Painted Lady Butterflies you are observing in class. Lesson Design: *Note: This lesson will take several class periods to complete and should be done anytime after lesson 11 in The Life Cycle of Butterflies guide. Read and discuss Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons. Be sure to talk about the author's style, the author's purpose and intended audience, the way information is shared, and the role of the illustrations. Tell students that they will be using a variety of resources, including their own observations and notes about their classroom butterflies, to compare the Painted Lady Butterfly to the Monarch Butterfly.   In the media center, students will record information on a graphic organizer as they rotate in groups between three stations: Sammy's Science House on the computers (students work in pairs), expository books about Monarch Butterflies, and a listening station using the National Geographic Monarch Butterflies Kit.   When you return to the classroom (or the next day) ask students to use their webs and work in pairs to complete a Venn Diagram comparing the two types of butterflies. Synthesis and Conclusion: Have two groups of students meet together (making groups of 4) to share/compare their Venn Diagrams and Webs. Give students the following prompt to respond to independently: Pretend you have just received a letter from your friend Maria who lives in Mexico telling you about the Monarch Butterflies that hibernate near her home and asking you about the butterflies you are studying in school. Write Maria a letter describing at least three ways the Painted Lady Butterfly is different from the Monarch Butterfly and at least three ways the Painted Lady Butterfly is similar to the Monarch. You may draw and label a picture to help you share information. You may use the web and Venn Diagram you created in class as well as your science log, response journal or notebook. Because Maria will be reading your letter for information, be sure to check your work for punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Evaluation and Assessment: Rubric for letter (science content only) O Letter includes: three or more ways the butterflies are the same three or more ways the butterflies are different labeled picture of both butterflies S Letter includes: three ways the butterflies are the same two or more ways the butterflies are different N Letter includes: less than three ways the butterflies are the same less than two ways the butterflies are different Rubric for letter (usage and grammar content only) O Letter includes: complete sentences very few errors in capitalization, punctuation, usage or grammar all components of proper letter format: date, greeting, closing…. S Letter includes: mostly complete sentences few errors in capitalization, punctuation, usage or grammar 2 or more components of letter format: date, greeting, and/or closing…. N Letter includes: many incomplete sentences many errors in capitalization, punctuation, usage or grammar not in letter format Home/School Connection: Home project of constructing a two or three-dimensional model of one of the stages of the butterfly life cycle. Parents can read various books about butterflies to students as well as take nature walks to observe butterflies. Extensions: Students can write a poem or song about butterflies. Higher ability level students could compare the Painted Lady to a butterfly or moth of their choice rather than the Monarch. Students could create a slide show or other multimedia presentation to teach others about the differences between different types of butterflies or moths.