Don’t close this browser tab!

This Mystery is being downloaded to your device so you can play it at home without an Internet connection.

Keep this tab open once it's downloaded in order to play the Mystery.

If you experience problems, please talk to your teacher.

0% Cancel
Are butterflies the only animals that start out as caterpillars?

Are butterflies the only animals that start out as caterpillars?

Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS:

Are there any other baby animals that look totally different when they’re grown up?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
01/18
Get your supplies.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
02/18
Let’s start by making your card. Line up the corners and fold it in half.
Use your fingernail to make a crease.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
03/18
Open the card. Bring the outer edge to the center fold. Repeat this
on the other side.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
04/18
Lift the inner edge of the paper until it meets the outside edge and
then fold it. Repeat this on the other side.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
05/18
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
06/18
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
07/18
Here’s what we think.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
08/18
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
09/18
Write the name of the person who you will give your card to at the
top. Draw a tiny caterpillar at the bottom.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
10/18
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
11/18
Here’s what we noticed.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
12/18
Draw a bigger caterpillar in your card. Open the card and keep the
flaps on the side down. Draw a larger caterpillar. Make sure to hold
the flaps down as you draw.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
13/18
Time to make your caterpillar GROW. Open the flaps on the sides
and connect the lines on either side so that you create one giant
caterpillar. Finish coloring your caterpillar.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
14/18
Finish your card and add a message. Make sure to sign your name.
If you want to see what happens to a caterpillar after it’s done
growing, go to the next step.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
15/18
When a caterpillar is done growing, it molts one last time. Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
16/18
Here’s what we noticed.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
17/18
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
18/18
Watch closely.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Lesson narration:

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In the mini-lesson, students explore the surprising variety of animals that look completely different between their juvenile and adult life stages. In the activity, Hungry Caterpillars, students examine how caterpillars grow and change throughout their lives and then use what they learn to create a card for someone special in their own life.

Preview activity

Extend this lesson