Creepy Crawly Caterpillars Lesson Plan

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What We Are Learning
 

Science Focus:

caterpillars    

 

Theme Vocabulary Words:

observe, creepy crawly, metamorphosis

 

Gross Motor Skills:

movement

Prereading Skills:

reading a flowchart

  • Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. is a wonderful read-aloud to introduce your students to caterpillars. As you read, have them count along! Then say that they’ll learn more about caterpillars in the magazine! paired text

Science: Fingerprint Life Cycle

Materials: Fingerprint Life Cycle skill sheet, finger paints, markers

  • This is a hands-on way to reinforce the life cycle of a butterfly!
  • Display page 4 of the issue. Discuss the steps of a caterpillar’s metamorphosis. Then tell children they will show these steps using their fingerprints!
  • Give each child a copy of the Fingerprint Life Cycle skill sheet. Help them follow the instructions to put fingerprints on the gray spots.
    • For the egg, make a yellow pinkie print.
    • For the caterpillar, make several colorful index fingerprints.
    • For the chrysalis, make a green thumbprint.
    • For the butterfly, make two colorful thumbprints and two colorful index fingerprints.
  • When children have finished, reinforce their learning by asking them to tell you the different steps in a caterpillar’s life cycle. fine motor skills
A number cube, pipe cleaners, and a leaf

Materials: two leaves, pipe cleaners, pencil, number cube

  • This math game for pairs helps children practice counting skills.
  • To prepare, create 30 “caterpillars” by twisting pipe cleaners around a pencil, then cutting them into short pieces.
  • Give each child a leaf and put all the caterpillars in a center pile. Have children take turns rolling the number cube and placing that many caterpillars on their leaf.
  • When the caterpillar pile is gone, have children count to see which leaf has the most. comparing amounts