DISCUSS:
Why do some butterflies have bright colors and patterns that stand out?
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity and exploration which you just completed.
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 activityButterfly 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.
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Details
3 per student
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Rulers
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1 per student |
Scissors
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1 per student |
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.
Why are butterflies so colorful?
What did this lesson make you curious about? What other questions do you have about butterflies?
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?
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