SUBJECTS: Art, Language Arts, Reading, Science, Technology

  GRADE: Pre-k   LENGTH OF TIME: 5 days   MATERIALS: Premade booklets with only the title Lifecycle of a butterfly stamp ink pad Colors Digital camera Computer iphone

Unit of Study

The students will:•read and use various websites to learn about the lifecycle of a butterfly.•become familiar with the butterfly vocabulary words by using sheppardsoftward.•learn the cycle of the butterfly and how to sequence the different stages using sheppardsoftware•use technology to demonstrate learning

OBJECTIVE:

Jonassen (1991) notes that many educators have applied constructivism to the development of learning environments.

Create real-world environments that employ the context in which learning is relevant;

Focus on realistic approaches to solving real-world problems; The instructor is a coach and analyzer of the strategies used to

solve these problems; Stress conceptual interrelatedness, providing multiple

representations or perspectives on the content; Instructional goals and objectives should be negotiated and not

imposed; Evaluation should serve as a self-analysis tool; Provide tools and environments that help learners interpret the

multiple perspectives of the world; Learning should be internally controlled and mediated by the

learner.

We will begin our unit of study by reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. We will observe the actual metamorphosis of the butterfly through observation in our classroom. The students will create stages of the butterfly and will create their own slideshow to demonstrating an understanding of the process. We will end this unit by observing each child’s creative art on picture trail. Allowing the students to use picture trail in their project will create a more authentic learning experience and keep them engaged in the development of their ideas. The purpose of incorporating technology into this unit is to teach students how to use technology in a meaningful way that can be applied to their everyday life. This process will make the students care deeply about the final product. On days 1, 2, and 4, we will watch the book on youtube and listen to the story on CD to make the story more exciting and to give students a variety of ways to enjoy reading. Students with different learning styles will appreciate using a variety of methods to read the selected story. Students will use Sheppard Software to sequence the lifecycle of a butterfly. Through repetition, students are allowed to play the game until they have learned and understand the lifecycle process.

LEARNING CONTEXT:

The class will take a nature walk to activate students’ prior knowledge about caterpillars. Students will be introduced to the vocabulary words, egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis(pupa), butterfly(adult). We will watch a Youtube video of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The students will observe the live caterpillars that are presently in our classroom. The students will draw their version of a little egg on a leaf.

We will listen to The Very Hungry Caterpillar recorded onto an iphone to give students a variety of ways to enjoy reading. Afterwards, in small groups students will create a butterfly lifecycle book using the lifecycle stamp. Students will incorporate further detail to enhance their books.The students will continue to work on their lifecycle books. As the students complete their books, the teacher will allow them to snap pictures of their story using a digital camera.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar PODCAST.caf

We will reread The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The students will retell the story and sequence the lifecycle. Our class will travel to the computer lab where students will be introduced to an activity at http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/scienceforkids/life_cycle/butterfly_lifecycle.htmto sequence the lifecycle of a butterfly. Afterwards, the students will complete their books, and then snap pictures of their story using a digital camera.

The students will watch the lifecycle of a butterfly on youtube. at http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0S00Mh4t3BRSHcAU.H7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBvbGgza2Q0BHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjExNg--?p=life+cycle+of+a+butterfly+youtube&vid=59b25b6f2e19a644ed994e9989f29c1b&l=4%3A33&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4939209066676497%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7AUeM8MbaIk&tit=Complete+Life+Cycle+of+the+Monarch+Butterfly&c=0&sigr=11a25ccvd&age=0&&tt=b As the students complete their books, the teacher will allow the students to snap pictures of their story using a digital camera. The students will complete snapping photos of their books. The teacher will upload photos to the computer to later use on picture trail.

The teacher, assistant, and volunteer will assist students with uploading their photos to Picture Trail to be viewed by the entire class. http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/flicks/done/flick_id/8910750

SCIENCE VI.B.2. Child describes life cyclesof organisms.  ART VIII.A.1. Child uses a variety of art materials and

activities for sensory experience and exploration.  TECHNOLOGY X.A.5. Child recognizes that information is

accessible through the use of technology.  LANGUAGE II.D.6. Child increases listening vocabulary

and begins to develop vocabulary of object names and common phrases in English.