ECLC: Insects Fascinate Young Learners
Songs, 3D art, literature and observation are a few of the ways preschool and prekindergarten students are learning all about insects in the Early Childhood Learning Center.
Songs, 3D art, literature and observation are a few of the ways preschool and prekindergarten students are learning all about insects in the Early Childhood Learning Center.
In Lisa Flannery’s classroom, the science center is stocked with two containers of live caterpillars where pre-kindergartners are learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. Soon, the caterpillars will turn into chrysalides before becoming painted lady butterflies. Students drank juice from a straw the way a butterfly drinks nectar through its proboscis. They also used puppets to act out The Very Hungry Caterpillar and worked on a butterfly puzzle. As they continue to watch their caterpillars evolve, students will soon begin learning about plants and the dependent relationship between plants and insects.
Next door in Sara Flansburg’s class, preschoolers made insects like ants and butterflies out of modeling clay and pipe cleaners. Out on the playground, “They were especially interested in examining black ants with their kid-sized magnifying glasses,” shares Ms. Flansburg.
Mrs. Lisa Palmer's pre-kindergartners discussed how butterflies are symmetrical, and made butterfly art by painting one side of a paper and folding it over to make the same print on the other side. They are keeping scientific observational journals and drawing the stages of metamorphosis that they observe in their classroom caterpillars. Next, they will visit the Gates lab to make honeycombs and bees.
Mrs. Lisa Palmer's pre-kindergartners discussed how butterflies are symmetrical, and made butterfly art by painting one side of a paper and folding it over to make the same print on the other side. They are keeping scientific observational journals and drawing the stages of metamorphosis that they observe in their classroom caterpillars. Next, they will visit the Gates lab to make honeycombs and bees.
Talk About It!
Ask your child how many legs and body parts insects have and let them show you the different ways an insect makes sounds! Here are some facts about butterflies to discuss with your insect lover:
- Butterflies can’t hear, and they “taste” with their feet.
- Female butterflies are larger and live longer than the males.
- Butterflies eat nectar and pollen from flowers.
- Butterflies have four wings, but they can’t fly when it’s cold.
- There are butterflies on all continents except Antartica.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
