From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Materials

images of caterpillars, cocoons, and butterflies

Instructions

* Collect cardboard pieces well in advance.
* Cut the cardboard boxes into flat sheets and place them in the art area for
the project.
What to Do
1. Start in the block area. Show the poster to the children and explain that a poor
construction worker named Simon Rodia built 17 structures, two of which
stood almost 100 feet tall. He collected scraps and worked in his spare time
for 33 years to create these wonderful Watts Towers.
2. Encourage the children to use
blocks or manipulatives to make
structures similar to those they see
in the photos.
3. Later move to the art area. Cut
slots halfway up the center of each
cardboard piece and show the
children how to join them together
to stand up. Cut two slots at the bottom of the cardboard
cylinders (tubes) so they can be added to the structures.
4. Once the structures have been formed, the children may paint and
decorate them.
5. Put the structures on display in the block area. People may "visit" this special
exhibition.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Evaluate the constructive and creative skills used by the children.
* Do the children build their own towers?