Annotated Bib - Life Cycles (Butterflies)

The following books and websites are great resource materials for students learning about the life cycle of the butterfly (Virginia SOL 2.4).

Books

Are You a Butterfly? Auth. by Allen, Judy & Humphries, Tudor. Kingfisher (2003). 28 pages. ISBN 978-0753456088. Gr. K-3.


This book covers the phases of metamorphosis from egg to butterfly, speaking directly to the reader the whole way through.  Well written and illustrated but not a first choice for the younger readers.

From Caterpillar to Butterfly Auth. by Heiligman, Deborah. Illus. by Weissman, Bari. Colins (1996). 32 pages. ISBN 978-0064451291. Gr. PK-2.

This book takes place in a classroom so the students will be able to relate to the story.   I would recommend this book for any classroom from Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.

My, Oh My--A Butterfly: All About Butterflies Auth. by Rabe, Tish. Illus. by Ruiz, Aristides & Mathieu, Joe. Random House Books for Young Readers (2007). 48 pages. ISBN 978-0375828829. Gr. K-3.


This is not like any of The Cat in The Hat books that I read as a child.  This book is brilliantly written and packed with great pictures and facts, one after the next.  This is a must have for my classroom library!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book Auth. & Illust. by Carle, Eric. Philomel; 40 Pop Anv edition (2009). 14 pages. ISBN 978-0399250392. Gr. PK-2.


 A caterpillar eats his way through different foods until he is full and weaves a cocoon transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Charming colorful illustrations of foods along with the fat caterpillar and catchy little holes in the foods where the caterpillar "had his snack" make this book a hit with young children.

Where Butterflies Grow Auth. by Ryder, Joanne. Illus. by Cherry, Lynne. Puffin (1996). 32 pages. ISBN 978-0140558586. Gr. K-3.

In a field of lacy leaves, a small caterpillar hatches, grows, and sheds its skin, becoming a smooth, green creeper. It eats and changes some more, then in a sequence of remarkable close-ups, spins a sliken sling in which to pupate--until it finally bursts forth as a brilliant black swallowtail butterfly. Includes suggestions on how children can grow butterfiles in their own gardens.


Websites
The following sites listed below are student-oriented.  If you have not stumbled upon the first two, make it a point to visit.

Build you own Caterpillar
I really like this kid-friendly site because it gives the students an opportunity to apply what they have learned about caterpillars and butterflies, their habitats, and what is needed to conceal their identities from predators to ensure survival.

Butterfly Farmer: 4 interactive games
A great kid-friendly site with 4 interactive games that cover the butterfly life-cycle, camouflage defense features, migration, and natural habitats.

Life Cycle - Interactive
Good site for helping the "needs assistance" students with interactive life-cycle puzzles and tutorials.

Metamorphosis Interactive Game - NeoK12.com
This site offers students an opportunity to test their content knowledge by using drag and drop labels to correctly identify features and characteristics of both caterpillars and butterflies.

Monarch Butterflies - NatGeoKids interactive 
This site offers students more in-depth research information with facts ranging from Monarch butterfly populations to where they live, how they defend themselves, and mating and migration patterns.

For the Teacher


2.4 The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals undergo a series of orderly changes as they mature and grow. Key concepts
include
a) animal life cycles; and
b) plant life cycles.

Background Information


Throughout their lives, plants and animals undergo a series of orderly
and identifiable changes.

Changes in organisms over time occur in cycles and differ among the
various plants and animals.

Some animals, such as mealworms, pill bugs, frogs, and butterflies go
through distinct stages as they mature to adults.