Materials
construction paper in a variety of colors
scissors (adult use only)
black marker
Instructions
* Cut a large number of 2" and 4" squares from the colored tissue paper.
* Twist each square in the center, creating a "butterfly" shape.
* Gently place all the butterflies in a large plastic tub.
What to Do
1. Gather the children together on the floor.
2. Talk with the children about butterflies. Show the children images of butterflies
and ask them to describe what they see.
3. Use a plate to scoop a collection of butterflies from the tub and fling the
butterflies over the heads of the children, inviting the children to catch one
butterfly each.
4. Ask the children to form a large circle. Display the white mural paper in the
center of the circle.
5. Invite each child to display and describe her butterfly and then lay it on the
paper.
6. Toss several more scoops of butterflies onto the paper as the children watch
them fly and land on the paper.
7. Invite one or two children to sort the butterflies into piles according to color or
size, and then compare the number of butterflies in each pile.
8. Gently pick up the paper (with the butterflies inside) and roll it into a cone
shape.
9. Then unroll the paper and let the butterflies again "fly" over the heads of
the children.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Can the children group the butterflies by size and color?
* Can the children count how many of a particular kind of butterfly there are?
