Fluttering Off
 Photo by Dave and Rose Idea by Robin, Kindergarten Teacher, Ellenton, FL My students and I end our Kindergarten school year with a special unit on Monarch butterflies. We raise the caterpillars during our last month (or so) of school. We make predictions, observe, record our findings and keep a journal of the caterpillars’ metamorphosis. We then release the butterflies and write stories about where we think they will go and what adventures the butterflies might encounter.
Then students self-connect by discussing and writing about how they have changed during their Kindergarten year. My Kindergarten students then “flutter” off to First Grade. Using the children’s handprints, we create a special butterfly T-shirt that says, “I am Fluttering Off to First Grade.” It is a super-special end-of-the-school year unit and the kids love it. I look forward to it each and every year.
The article above was featured in the May 2013 Classroom Connection Newsletter. Find more great articles from that issue below. Want to get the newsletter delivered right to your inbox? Sign-up for Really Good Stuff emails now. Students Transition While They Work Get a Head Start on Organization Wrapping Up a Year’s Worth of Learning Big Idea for a Small Book Collection |
At Really Good Stuff, we're committed to bringing you the best teaching resources online and off. We under-
Commented On May 6th, 2012 10:31 am
This is a great way to end the school year, while the students are learning the butterfly life cycle they are also creating memories and the t-short is a great way for them to remember.
Commented On May 9th, 2012 11:28 pm
Educational and personal! Love it!