Encourage tinkering with ideas, relationships, connections. Set up situations where students have to find information not readily available in school texts. Provide opportunity for students to design open-ended explorations of the concept. Provide multiple options so students can plan a unique "proof" of learning.
Learning center activities.
Objective: To further expand and reinforce student understanding of life cycle concepts.
Activity: Students participate in the following sequenced learning center activities designed to reinforce each life cycle phase:
1. Create caterpillar eggs from rice glued onto green construction paper leaves.
2. Select a picture of a caterpillar from a book`. Reproduce it using egg carton pieces and felt-tipped pen.
3. Create a cocoon from 2 egg carton cups wrapped with yarn.
4. Make the butterfly which emerges from that cocoon. Copy its picture from the book and draw an outline of its wings and body. Design its wing patterns with chalk and outline it with a thin line of Elmer's glue. Let dry thoroughly. Color with oil pastels. Cut out finished butterfly.
5. Display butterflies on large bulletin board and/or hang from ceiling.
