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Why are butterflies so colorful?

Why are butterflies so colorful?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

Why do some butterflies have bright colors and patterns that stand out?

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## Extensions

Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity and exploration which you just completed.

Featured Reviews

“The students loved it. Directions were excellent and easy to follow.”
· Mary · Teacher
“The activity was wonderful!”
· Cathy · Teacher
“The best part was having the students apply what they learned into coloring their own butterflies based on the facts from the lesson.”
· Lee · Admin
“The best part of this lesson was the learning experience --- why butterflies are the color they are!!!”
· Barbara · Teacher
“Great pictures and love the step by step directions to make the butterflies!”
· Kathy · Teacher
“All of it! The step by step directions are so perfect for kids.”
· Beth · Teacher
“The students were able to follow along with each direction by watching the video on repeat!”
· Kate · Teacher
“The students were fully engaged in learning about why butterflies are so colorful.”
· Caryn · Teacher
“My kids loved the butterfly activity!”
· Emily · Teacher
“Students loved learning about the different design patterns of a butterfly's wing and all the different ways they protect themselves from predators. ”
· Ladawn · Teacher
“The students really enjoyed the activity! As always, I appreciate the detailed instructions. It really helps to teach children to listen! I'll be doing this activity with another teacher's class next week :)”
· Tricia · Teacher
“Awesome lesson! Very engaging activity, great videos- loved it.”
· · Homeschooler
“The students loved making the card and butterfly. Having choice in which template to use was awesome - we put all the exess butterfly templates into a bin for centres - students have been choosing to make more butterflies all week! Thanks!”
· Rebecca · Teacher
“Many students were very engaged in making the flower color patterns similar to their butterfly for effective camouflage. They were also delighted with the way the butterflies' wings moved when they moved their butterfly through the air.”
· Carlota · Teacher
“the use of the card and butterfly together worked fantastic. The kids really did a great job of deciding if their butterfly would stand out or blend in.”
· Scott · Teacher
“My students really liked the activity that went along with the lesson. As the teacher, I appreciated the connection to Mother's Day. Thank you.”
· Jill · Teacher
“We learned new information about butterflies! For example, the butterfly that looks like a snake's head really got their attention! My students loved the follow-up activity and were very creative in their work!”
· Julie · Teacher
“They loved making the butterflies' wings flap :) Also a great discussion around survival techniques and found everyone in the class enjoyed the topic. ”
· Katelyn · Teacher
“I used it for my beginners level ESL elementary students. It was a fantastic lesson. All of my students used camouflage in their language and was able to answer the discussion questions. ”
· Ella · Teacher
“Kids loved making the card and I liked that they had to use what they learnt to explain why they made the butterfly like that. We used the card for a mother's day card for grandmas. Great idea for May!”
· Melinda · Homeschooler
“The butterfly cards were a perfect touch for Mother's Day and teacher/staff appreciation week. All the students felt successful and had beautiful product.”
· Teresa · Teacher
“They loved all of it! Guessing about why butterflies had the colors and then being able to make the butterfly and card was a great. They could also apply what they learned about the colors on butterflies. My First graders thought this was a great project. We also are watching caterpillars become butterflies in the classroom. They were super happy today with everything! Great Day! :)”
· Carol · Teacher
“So fun and simple! I love how these lessons always use either just paper or, at most, items I actually have on hand!”
· Tarese · Homeschooler
“Love integration with Science and Mother's Day.”
· Dawn · Teacher
“Printing out the card with butterfly for my students to make for Mother's Day! Thanks Ms. Freel 4th Grade ELA Florida”
· Jennifer · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this mini-lesson, students discover how butterflies’ colors can help them blend into their habitat or scare away predators. In the activity, Paper Butterflies, students design their own paper butterflies by choosing colors that will help the butterflies survive, then create a butterfly card for someone special.
Preview activity
Butterfly Card (Grades 3-5) printout 1 per student
Butterfly Card (Grades K-2) printout 1 per student
Butterfly Template (All Grades) printout 1 per student
Crayons
Markers or colored pencils will also work.
Details
3 per student
Rulers
1 per student
Scissors
1 per student
Prep Instructions

In this activity, each student makes and colors a paper butterfly and the flowers that this butterfly visits. By doing this, they’ll make a beautiful card that they can give to any special person in their life. You may want to use this as a Mother’s Day activity, but students write their own messages, so these cards can be for anyone special.

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Discussions

Discussion

  1. Why are butterflies so colorful?

  2. What did this lesson make you curious about? What other questions do you have about butterflies?

Activity

Activity

Design your own paper butterfly! Find some paper, a pencil, and crayons. Draw a butterfly and decide what colors it will be. Does your butterfly blend in with purple flowers? Or do the colors warn birds to stay away? Color your butterfly however you’d like! Once you’ve colored your butterfly, add to your drawing. Are there purple flowers in the background? Maybe a bird that is looking for lunch?

Credits
 
Animal Traits Tx Lesson 8: Why are butterflies so colorful?

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