Butterflies 

A WebQuest Third Grade (Science)
Designed by
 Mia Greco, Erin Maywald, Emily Navas, Ellen Keller
 


Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction
Have you ever wondered how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly?  On this butterfly excersion you will discover the answer to this question and learn many more interesting facts!  While on this journey, you will watch butterflies and learn about their physical characteristics.  You will be able to observe your very own larvae becoming a butterfly!  You will keep a science journal to record your findings and you will be amazed to see the metamorphosis occur right in front of your eyes!



The Task 

Upon completing this project, the students will:

  • construct a diagram of a butterfly with clay
  • label the parts of a butterfly
  • observe the life cycle of a butterfly
  • record observations of the life cycle in a science journal
  • create a poem about a butterfly with a partner


The Process
1. The teacher will activate students prior knowledge about butterflies. 
2. The students will gather factual information through trade books and the internet.
3. The students will study photographs and learn the parts of the butterfly.
4. Using clay, the students will construct a butterfly model and label all the parts.
5. Students will record their findings in a science journal and share with their classmates.
6. The students will create a poem using the knowledge they acquired from this webquest.

Evaluation
Students will be individually evaluated according to the rubric.
Beginning Good Very Good Excellent Score
Worked Cooperatively
1
2
3
4
 
Constructed an accurate model of the parts of a butterfly
1
2
3
4
 
Recorded daily observations in science journal
 
1
2
3
4
 
Oral presentation of poem
1
2
3
4
 
All required tasks are completed
1
2
3
4
 


Conclusion 
Upon completeing this assignment, you will be able to successfully label and identify the parts of a butterfly and illustrate its life cycle.  Using your newly found knowledge from the journal, you and your partner will create a poem with your new science vocabulary.



Credits & References

Butterfly Cam
http://www.dcboces.org/sufsd/nassau/vitek/
butterfly/index.html

Butterfly Savenger Hunt
http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/dcarmichael/Shunt.htm 

Change Life Cycles- Butterfly
http://www.midcoast.com.au/~ttc/Change.html

Label the Butterfly
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/
insects/label/butterfly.shtml

Life Cycle websites- Butterflies
http://www.oswego.org/staff/cchamber/
resources/lifecycle.cfm

Life Cycles
http://www.fkcs.net/kingsolver/Life%20Cycles
/life_cycles.htm

Monarch Watch- Biology- Anatomy
  http://www.monarchwatch.org/biology/index.htm

Butterflies and Bugs - The Life of a Monarch Butterfly
http://www.billybear4kids.com/butterfly/flutter-fun.html

Butterfly and Moth Internet Savenger Hunt
http://homepage.mac.com/cohora/envirothon/
butterflyhunt.html