Photos by Warren Township Schools
The Butterfly Project
Warren Township Public Schools
Central School teacher Mrs. Celeste Ostry enjoys starting each new school year by introducing her students to the lifecycle of a butterfly. Just as the students learn to adjust to their new environment, they will also witness the metamorphosis of their new classroom creatures.
According to Ostry, the Butterfly project lasts roughly four weeks. The insects arrive in caterpillar form, and students from grades three through five can monitor them and take notes in their butterfly journals to record their observations.
After a few short days, once the caterpillars are fully grown, they pupate and create their protective shell, a chrysalis. During the magical transformation process, which lasted seven to ten days, Ostry’s students made observations and took notes in their journals, read several books on butterflies, and gained as much knowledge about the metamorphosis as possible.
When the beautiful Painted Lady butterflies emerged, Ostry opened the exhibit to the entire school. Classes were invited to sign up for a visit. This is Ostry’s favorite part of the project, as she loves witnessing her students take the lead as butterfly experts and act as the docents for the visiting students.
On the final day with the butterflies, Ostry took her students to the courtyard just outside their classroom. Each student in her class held a butterfly before they were gently released.
This special project-based learning activity was an excellent way to start the school year by covering multiple subjects such as reading, writing, science, art, and presentation skills through a fun and meaningful experience.
