The life cycle of a butterfly.
It’s a common topic amongst classes in primary school.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar story is read and all sorts of songs are sung about the changes that happen in that life cycle.
And there are so many activities that come from the story!
We often have the caterpillars in a special net to watch turn into chrysalises then butterflies. In fact, one of my colleagues’ father breeds them so she will bring over 100 ready, in a special net enclosure for the children to watch, and when the resulting butterflies come out, they have a mass letting go session!
But nothing beats nature, let’s be honest!
A few weeks ago my class patiently planted some seeds and the Nasturtiums had grown, and were almost ready to flower… until we noticed that something had been eating them!
And what we found, or actually what my pupils found, was amazing! There were dozens of caterpillars!
As we hunted further, we found eggs and have been watching them over the last few days, and have a range of caterpillars now from 1 mm long to at least 4 cm! I am hoping they at least get to see some real chrysalises too before we break up!
They’ve not left much in the way of leaves on one side!
And we even found a cabbage white caterpillar!
As I said, there is nothing quite like Nature to teach a child a lesson!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jul 16, 2017 @ 16:55:22
Nature has so many lessons for us Sis, although I do have to admit to liking flowers more than caterpillars! 🙂
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Jul 16, 2017 @ 17:01:16
They are all the plants sis! But a great lesson indeed!
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 20:48:00
One of the best education around is certainly in nature!
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 20:53:45
100%!!!!
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 08:39:33
I found one in my backyard,i kept an eye over it,observed carefully,but unfortunately it wasn’t a caterpillar as i thought
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 09:11:44
Oh man! Well these are definitely caterpillars! What was yours???
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Jul 19, 2017 @ 07:13:42
Nah! it wasn’t a caterpillar for sure
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Jul 19, 2017 @ 07:36:15
Oh! Ok!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 20:59:24
Awesome! I always love when school is not only books but life! Wonderful and I hope you can see the butterflies hatching too!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 21:02:39
We only have a week but who.knows!!!!
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 11:06:18
I think that’t not enough time. But perhaps you can see some more butterflies when you are back at school!
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 11:11:39
You never know sis!!!
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 11:12:31
I am sure, you’d keep us posted 😁
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 11:13:05
Will do!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 20:27:40
Nature is a child’s greatest teacher. I love this post and the photos. I am so lucky that I live less than two hours from the Eric Carle Museum, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They also have the best bookstore in the world, and tons of stuff for teachers. Check them out on line. 😀
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 20:29:57
I shall have to!!!!!
Thanks Jennie!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 23:38:22
Thanks, Ritu! Best to you! 🙂
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Jul 15, 2017 @ 02:55:42
My pleasure, Ritu!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 14:44:40
Nature is indeed the best teacher.
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 18:48:51
Amen to that!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 13:56:58
The was a good surprise and impromptu lesson.
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 18:46:13
I like impromptu!!!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 19:18:17
Makes things interesting!!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 19:18:57
Oh yes indeed!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 19:26:29
😃
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 11:26:08
Nature has all the trophies and answers. It’s a shame we treat her so badly. Hopefully the children will realise nature’s worth.
That’s a lovely way to teach them Sis I love the idea and the 💜💗
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 12:24:30
It’s been so fun!!!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 17:17:54
💜☺️💗
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 10:42:03
That is great! And to think that in our country silkworms have been “traditionally” killed in boiling water to make silk sarees is disgusting. Those poor souls!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 12:24:11
I know! This has been fantastic!!!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 08:02:57
Nice! 🙂
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 08:09:15
Thanks!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 07:01:13
You can’t beat caterpillars as lessons 🙂
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 07:36:38
It is so great to see them at different stages, let alone the chrysalis!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 07:39:02
Fun…but such an important life lesson too 🙂
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 08:08:42
Exactly!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 06:54:54
Wow what a journey. But sad destiny for the flowers.
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 06:57:02
I know, poor flowers! Out of 40 seeds planted we only saw one flower! And a whole load of eaten leaves now with empty stalks!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 14:02:13
Naturen is cruel sometimes. But on the other hand, the plants feeds animals and that can’t be bad.
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 18:46:28
Exactly Anna!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 19:03:02
🌱🐛😃
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 05:19:34
I must admit that I am not a huge fan of caterpillars, Ritu. This post did bring back delightful memories of “silk worm season” when I was at school.
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 06:49:41
I am not really an insect and mini beast fan either Robbie, but when you see the enthusiasm of the children, you kinda get excited too!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 05:07:06
Well said Ritu. Nature is the best teacher. Perfect pictures 👌
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 06:48:45
It was a great unprepared lesson! I got other classes in the school to come look too!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 06:51:33
Wonderful !!
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Jul 14, 2017 @ 06:52:44
😀
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