BUTTERFLIES!!

It has been a very exciting month in our classroom!!  We have been busy learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. We were very lucky to have found 3 monarch caterpillars that we kept in our butterfly pavilion.  For about a week we were able to watch the caterpillars munch on their milkweed leaves.  The kids really enjoyed seeing how much they ate and how active the caterpillars were.  Once they were full on leaves, we were able to see the caterpillar climb to the top of the pavilion and make a "J" shape.  From here, the caterpillar made its chrysalis.  However, they seemed to make their chrysalis when we were not around!!  Then, the waiting game began. We had to wait 2 weeks and we watched the chrysalis turn from a bright, green color to dark black.  Finally, after much anticipation we were able to see our butterflies emerge from the chrysalis.  The kids were so excited when this happened.  We were even able to tell if they were boy or girl butterflies.  Ask your child how they know which is the boy and which is the girl.  They should be able to tell you! Last Friday, the weather warmed up enough for us to let our butterflies go.  The kids enjoyed watching them as they flew away.  It has been so much fun watching this change and it was a great learning opportunity for them.  I have pictures that I will get posted to the blog as soon as I get them on the computer.