We have been keeping a journal since the caterpillars' arrival. The students take turns making observations and telling me what to write. See below to read our observations. The clip art we used doesn't come through- that's what the white boxes are.
Butterfly Journal
A Journey
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
Written by Mrs. Crofts’ Second Grade
Class
Day 1- April 22nd –Earth Day!
The
caterpillars are black and they have fuzzy spikes all around their bodies. They have sticky feet so they can climb the
walls. They are about 1/2 inch (about
1cm). In the cup we see a lot of black
dots on the walls and brown food that
looks like frozen caramel. One of the
caterpillars is laying on the food.
There is also something that looks like a spider web.
Day 2- April 23rd
The
caterpillars are moving on the walls.
The food looks like it has some salt on it but it is brown. There are more things that look like spider
webs. We want to do research to find out
what the webs are. The caterpillars are ¾” long (1 1/2 cm). There are a lot more black spots than
yesterday. We are using magnifying
glasses to see them better.
Day 3- April 24th
Some
caterpillars are in the middle of the web.
We looked it up and the web is silk that comes from the caterpillar’s
spinnerets. There are more webs. The caterpillars look wider. They are about 2 cm long. There are a lot more little brown balls in the
webbing and on the food.
Day 8- April 28th
The
caterpillars are 4 cm long!! The food is
looking like it is crumbled up. There
are more webs and they are on the walls of the cup close to the top of the cup. One of the caterpillars is on the web. They look a little grayish on the bottom and
look a little prickly. We have 5
caterpillars and two look like the same
size. They are not as long as the other
3.
Day 9- April 29th
One of the
caterpillars is on the top of the cup.
We think it is trying to form a J before it makes its chrysalis. The caterpillars are a little furry. There is less food at the bottom of the cup
because they are eating it. One of the
other caterpillars is crawling up the wall.
Day 10- April 30th
4 of the caterpillars are on the top of the
cup. They are forming a J. One is on the wall and is moving up to the
top. 1 caterpillar is on the top and is
not moving. 3 are in J’s but they are
moving a little bit. They are not eating
anymore.
Day 14- May 4th
All
butterflies are in the chrysalides. The
chrysalides have pointy bumps. They are greenish, brownish, yellowish with tiny
dots. They are not moving. We had to very slowly take off the top of the
cup and taped the paper with the chrysalides to the butterfly pavilion.
Day 15-May 5th
There is
webbing stuck on the chrysalides. There
are reddish dots on the chrysalides.
There are also little gold dots!
There are not any butterflies yet.
Day 16- May 6th
The
chrysalides look pretty much the same.
They are not moving. The webbing
is still stuck to them.
Day 17- May 7th
There are
still gold specks on the chrysalides.
They are getting lighter in color.
None of them have opened yet.
Day 18- May 8th
Two
butterflies came out of their chrysalides.
Sometimes their wings are wide open.
The wings are brown, orange, and white.
There are red spots on the cage bottom.
It is not blood, it is from their wings.
The other chrysalides are darker than they were before. We think they are ready to come out. The butterflies have antennae that look like
a thick black string with a little ball on the top.
:-( I have photos in my camera but my camera cord has not been unearthed yet so we'll have to do without this week.
We are so excited to have finished our Best School Day Ever books. They will come home next week. We voted on all of the ideas and we will implement those ideas next Friday, the 15th.
This week we also:
:-( I have photos in my camera but my camera cord has not been unearthed yet so we'll have to do without this week.
We are so excited to have finished our Best School Day Ever books. They will come home next week. We voted on all of the ideas and we will implement those ideas next Friday, the 15th. This week we also:
- sorted insects from non-insects and made our own insects with play-doh and pipecleaners
- put the butterfly life stages in order
- played a butterfly board game
- made patriotic kites for Memorial Day
- made a special gift for our mothers (hope you like them)
- some students presented their book report projects -great job!
Another busy week! Everyone enjoy your weekend and a Happy Mothers' Day to all the mothers reading this!
Important Dates:
5/9- Race for Fitness- see you there!
5/11- book report project due and STAR testing starts
5/14- Ascension Thursday mass
5/15- dress down for CF and Best School Day Ever
