butterfly

Tidbits from teaching #2
Never underestimate the power of a butterfly.

We’ve been raising monarch butterflies in our room – they work well as a second grade science lesson. For the last twelve days the students have been faithfully checking the plethora of chrysalis in our insect pavilion. Day 1 – nothing. Day 2 – nothing. Day 3 – nothing. Day 4 – a student yells loudly because the chrysalis is wiggling – “It’s hatching! Come and see!” In reality, the table was bumped. Still nothing. Day 5 – nothing. And likewise until day 12. On day 12, the chrysalises have turned dark brown and students flock to the pavilion every time movement is allowed. “Yes, it is exciting,” we tell them, “but what were the directions you were given?” “Sit on the rug,” they say dejectedly as they scuff their feet and dawdle. Still, their enthusiasm makes me smile.

Day 12 – math class – we’re doing an activity involving m&m’s, tally marks, and bar graphs. While the teacher is calling names and placing students in groups, a student yells with vigor –“It hatched! The butterfly is here! I saw it first! Come look!” Immediately everything is dropped – literally. Pencils, book, erasers, and slate boards lay strewn about as sixteen students rush to crowd around a moment-old butterfly. It was noticed seconds after it slipped from its chrysalis – its wings still crumpled and deflated and its body still large.

After refocusing our groups, retrieving our scattered math materials, and continuing our m&m activity, another student yelled about five minutes later – “The butterfly is hatching! The butterfly is hatching!” Again, immediate pandemonium. Again, sixteen students rush to crowd around the butterfly. This time we got there in time to see the chrysalis break open and the butterfly pop out. We stayed long enough to watch its wing expand. They loved it.

Who would have known two butterflies could cause such excitement. =)