Running head: CATERPILLAR LESSON PLAN

Caterpillar Lesson Plan

Courtnee Jones

Fresno Pacific University

CATERPILLAR LESSON PLAN 2

Caterpillar

PreSchool Foundation or Common Core Standard to be addressed:

UNIT FOCUS: Mathematics Preschool Learning Foundations Volume 1 Measurement 1.1

for 48 months Demonstrate awareness that objects can be compared by length, weight, or

capacity, by noting gross differences, using words such as bigger, longer, heavier, or taller, or by

placing objects side by side to compare length.

SCIENCE: Scientific Inquiry Observation and Investigation: 1.1 - Demonstrate curiosity and
raise simple questions about objects and events in their environment.

Title of Lesson: From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Background Information: This lesson is best implemented with ages 4 to 5 and in a classroom

set of children. This activity focuses on Verbal, Visual and Physical learning styles.

Objective:

1. Students will be able to demonstrate curiosity and an increased ability to ask questions about a

caterpillars life cycle.

2. The students will measure length of a caterpillar using lentil and pinto beans.

Materials: Caterpillars (alive), Different Sized Beans(Lentil, Pinto), Tape, Construction Paper,

Tweezers, Pen/Pencil, and the book From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Debra Heiligman

Vocabulary:

Caterpillar: the larval stage of a butterfly or moth

Chrysalis: the hard shell covering the pupa; shaped like an upside down teardrop
CATERPILLAR LESSON PLAN 3

Larva: the second stage of metamorphosis, during which an insect is wormlike and has new
wings

Pupa: the third stage of metamorphosis; encased by a chrysalis

Metamorphosis: a series of developmental stages often marked by body changes

Procedure:
Review - Children will need to have a basic understanding of ordering and measuring.

Overview - Present the book, From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Debra Heiligman and discuss the

three different stages of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly with the students. Last but not least

review vocabulary once again.

Presentation:

Read the book From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Debra Heiligman

Students will use the different sized beans to measure the length of the caterpillar

Teacher records the data on the graph to measure length

Discussion Questions

What happens to the caterpillar towards the end of its life cycle ?
How many more lentil beans than pinto beans were used to measure the length of the
caterpillar?
In your own words explain the life cycle of a caterpillar.
If nerds candy was used, predict how many nerds it would take to measure the
caterpillar?
What was the most important information you learn about todays lesson

Evidence of Learning
CATERPILLAR LESSON PLAN 4

Students demonstrated curiosity when the book From Caterpillar to Butterfly was read
to them as they asked question like, What is a larva.
Students identified the largest caterpillar as measured by the pinto beans
Students identified the smallest caterpillar as measured by the lentil beans

Next Steps:

If students show evidence of learning, expand upon this lesson by introducing an activity that

introduces the use of scientific tools such as: magnifying glasses and microscopes to record

observations and measure objects.

If the students do not show evidence of learning, repeat this lesson by breaking it up into two

days by allowing for more time to provoke childs interest in inquiry and curiosity about the

life cycle of a caterpillar.