What started as a simple rescue mission turned into an impromptu science lesson on the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly for first graders at Angelo L. Tomaso School.
During a recent recess, students and teacher Mary Balkonis noticed caterpillars enjoying a meal on milkweed, among the varied plant life in the outdoor classroom. Worried that hungry birds would make a meal of the caterpillars, the group rescued 10 of the crawlers, providing them haven in a netted enclosure and plenty of fresh milkweed leaves.
It wasn’t long before caterpillars became chrysalises. Not long after that, the Monarch butterflies began to emerge in all their bright orange and black splendor.
“One caterpillar got out and formed a chrysalis on the underside of a table [in the classroom,]” says Balkonis. When the Monarch showed its colors, Balkonis “used sugar water to coax the butterfly back to the enclosure.”
On Sept. 26, giddy first graders in Elena Marinello’s class joined Balkonis in releasing the Monarchs into the skies outside of ALT.
Photo Credit: Warren Township Schools
(above) ALT first grader Alessandra Purpora is all smiles as she prepares to release a Monarch butterfly on Sept. 26.
