Materials
- Newspaper
- Tempera paint in assorted colors
- Containers
- Construction paper in assorted colors, 9" x 12" (23 cm x 30 cm)
- Butterfly templates for a 9" x 6" (23 cm x 15 cm) space
- Pencils
- Safety scissors
- String
- Easel brushes
What to do
1. Ahead of time, cover a workspace with newspaper and pour the paint into containers.
2. Ask the children to fold a piece of construction paper in half along its width.
3. Lay the template on the fold and have the children trace the template with a pencil.
4. When they are finished tracing, ask the children to cut out their butterfly with the paper folded, taking care not to cut along the folded edge.
5. Have them open the butterfly.
6. Give each child a piece of string and ask him or her to hold both ends of the string in their hands. Show them how to dip the string in the paint, keeping the ends of the string dry.
7. Help distribute the paint along the string and wipe any excess with a brush.
8. Have the children lay the string on one side of the butterfly, twisting the string as they do. Show them how to hold the ends of the string beyond the edge of the paper.
9. Have the children close the butterfly, then pull the string with one hand while gently pressing down on the paper with their other hand.
10. When they have pulled the string through, have the children open the butterfly and repeat with another color, laying the string in a different position this time.
More to do
- Dramatic play: With imagination and movement, act out the metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly.
- Math: Introduce the concept of symmetry by studying the patterns on butterfly wings.
- Art: Create a mobile using the children's butterflies and paintings of the other life-cyclestages.
- Science: Prepare matching cards of butterflies, moths, and caterpillars. Keep caterpillars in your class and record observations about their life cycle.
-Sandra W. Gratias, Perkasie, PA
