Second grade – Butterflies
The Butterfly Story - SS2L1B, VA2.CN3, VA2.CR5, VA2.CR4.c - Students create a bead project (zipper pull) in which the beads represent stages of the butterfly’s life cycle. The life cycle lesson is reinforced with an age- appropriate video featuring a butterfly as the narrator as she describes her life from egg to adult.
Pasta Life Cycle Model - S2L1B - On a paper plate, student use pasta and other materials to make a three-dimensional composition depicting the life cycle of a butterfly.
Butterfly Model - SS2L1B, VA2.CN3, VA2.CR5, VA2.CR4.c - Focus turns from life cycle to the importance of butterflies in the ecosystem and an explanation of the unique structure and adaptations of butterflies. The concept of symmetry is introduced. Students construct a butterfly using paper, pipe cleaners and a party blower.
Longleaf Pine Trail - MGSE1, NBT.1, MGSE1, NBT2, MGSE1, MD.4, PE2.3, P2.5 - Following a brief orientation, the instructor leads students through a mature longleaf pine forest habitat where students practice observation, inquiry, data collection, classification and counting skills as they search for hidden plastic “critters” in the foliage along the trail. Students’ math skills are used as they record their count (data) on a tally sheet. Tallies are done using the animal classifications of insect, arachnid, reptile/amphibian, or bird based on each critters’ characteristics. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the seasonally-changing habitat and draw conclusions based on their observations.
Butterfly observation - (Seasonal) S2L1a, S2L1e - When monarch migration allows, the MEEC will supply eggs, caterpillars and adult butterflies for observation with hand lenses. The butterfly garden will be the outdoor classroom for observation of butterfly activity and a discussion of their needs and importance within the eco-system.
Discovery Room – S2L1, ELAGSE2RI1, ELAGSE2RI2 - Students rotate through centers and displays which emphasize wildlife characteristics and habitat. Students begin with a scavenger hunt for facts using the expository texts located in the display cases. Additional stations may include making leaf rubbings, creating animal tracks, identifying animal furs, using magnifying instruments, and using scales.
Wheel of Nature – (All levels. Questions are adapted to grade level.) Students participate in a game-style two-team activity. When it is his or her turn, a team-member spins a wheel to determine how much a question is worth. To obtain the points for his side, the student answers the given question. Questions are based on the MEEC curriculum and include habitat features, wildlife adaptations, and identification of animal pictures, pelts, sounds, offspring and tracks. Models and other audio visuals are used to bring questions to life. Team work is encouraged as rules allow students to confer on difficult questions.
The Butterfly Story - SS2L1B, VA2.CN3, VA2.CR5, VA2.CR4.c - Students create a bead project (zipper pull) in which the beads represent stages of the butterfly’s life cycle. The life cycle lesson is reinforced with an age- appropriate video featuring a butterfly as the narrator as she describes her life from egg to adult.
Pasta Life Cycle Model - S2L1B - On a paper plate, student use pasta and other materials to make a three-dimensional composition depicting the life cycle of a butterfly.
Butterfly Model - SS2L1B, VA2.CN3, VA2.CR5, VA2.CR4.c - Focus turns from life cycle to the importance of butterflies in the ecosystem and an explanation of the unique structure and adaptations of butterflies. The concept of symmetry is introduced. Students construct a butterfly using paper, pipe cleaners and a party blower.
Longleaf Pine Trail - MGSE1, NBT.1, MGSE1, NBT2, MGSE1, MD.4, PE2.3, P2.5 - Following a brief orientation, the instructor leads students through a mature longleaf pine forest habitat where students practice observation, inquiry, data collection, classification and counting skills as they search for hidden plastic “critters” in the foliage along the trail. Students’ math skills are used as they record their count (data) on a tally sheet. Tallies are done using the animal classifications of insect, arachnid, reptile/amphibian, or bird based on each critters’ characteristics. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the seasonally-changing habitat and draw conclusions based on their observations.
Butterfly observation - (Seasonal) S2L1a, S2L1e - When monarch migration allows, the MEEC will supply eggs, caterpillars and adult butterflies for observation with hand lenses. The butterfly garden will be the outdoor classroom for observation of butterfly activity and a discussion of their needs and importance within the eco-system.
Discovery Room – S2L1, ELAGSE2RI1, ELAGSE2RI2 - Students rotate through centers and displays which emphasize wildlife characteristics and habitat. Students begin with a scavenger hunt for facts using the expository texts located in the display cases. Additional stations may include making leaf rubbings, creating animal tracks, identifying animal furs, using magnifying instruments, and using scales.
Wheel of Nature – (All levels. Questions are adapted to grade level.) Students participate in a game-style two-team activity. When it is his or her turn, a team-member spins a wheel to determine how much a question is worth. To obtain the points for his side, the student answers the given question. Questions are based on the MEEC curriculum and include habitat features, wildlife adaptations, and identification of animal pictures, pelts, sounds, offspring and tracks. Models and other audio visuals are used to bring questions to life. Team work is encouraged as rules allow students to confer on difficult questions.
