butterflies emerged over weekend..

[teach4fun]

We have had these little cute caterpillars in our room for a long time and the kids this year were VERY into checking on them each day and seeing how they are growing and then they formed their chrysalis. I brought the container home over the weekend because we have people use our classrooms over the weekend and I didnt want anything to happen to them. I came home yesterday from a golf tournament and they were all emerged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even one for the kids to see or try to "catch" emerging. They are going to be devistated. We will have to release them first thing in the morning since they have been in my home all weekend.
oh well, best intentions, right

 

[Mrs. G]

Murphy's Law!

Doesn't it always seem to work out like that. Try to make the best out of a bad situation. They will be excited seeing them. You can keep them a little longer if you put in some sugar water. Some people sprinkle it on flowers. What kind are they? Our second graders made a beautiful butterfly garden and had the parents donate plants and time. Now the have a Caterpillar Club and students meet once a month to take care of the garden.

 

[NCteacher]

Exciting!

My class got caterpillars about a month ago, raised them into butterflies, then the butterflies layed eggs which have now hatched and we are starting our 2nd cycle! Depending on what kind of butterflies they are- we have painted ladies- they love oranges! I bought an orange and sliced it- put it in the butterfly net thingee I have and the butterflies went crazy! We can't release ours- it would be too cruel- it is too early for them to be able to find food. Hopefully we will do well with the caterpillars we have now and can release those. www.insectlore.com has a great encyclopedia with information for your students.

 

[km]

butterflies

I have raised butterflies with my class for many years now. It is always a toss up if we actually get to see them emerge. However, if we miss it I try to find some pictures or video on the internet to show them. I can't remember what website has it but if you do a search on butterflies you could find some video clips of butterflies emerging. There are tons of resources on the internet.

Also, you could keep them for a couple of days by giving them sugar water (on cotton or on flowers) and some orange slices. The kids like to watch them flutter around the butterfly house for a couple of days.

 

[NJ Teacher]

Butterflies

Our third grade classes were trying to raise Monarch caterpillars this fall. Unfortunately, we were not successful with most of the larvae. We're not sure why, and the cool weather conditions which made it difficult to get viable milkweed, wasn't helpful. I bet your kids will be excited to see the butterflies, and they made it happen with their hard work and care. www.journeynorth.org has some great info on monarch migration, among other things. Our kids participated in a symbolic monarch migration to Mexico, where we sent paper monarchs out and we should be receiving ours from Mexico shortly.

 

[teach4fun]

thanks everyone

We released them this afternoon. The kids were sooo excited to see them. We too used InsectLore and raised Painted Ladies.
Thanks for the orange tip, I will definitely use that for next year.
I love this site and all the help and suggestions from everyone. Have a great week. Amy

 

[LV1st]

Buggy

If it makes you feel any better in first grade we do lady bugs. We hatch some and others we get live since they often do not work. Last year we put the live ones in the fridge to put them to sleep to transfer them as we do each here. Imagine our delight when they all woke up within ten seconds and were swarming on us, down our shirts, etc. Boy can't wait till they come again in May. Sometimes being a teacher is pretty funny work!

 

[Renea]

interesting insect sites?

You gals sound like you are insect experts! This is our first year to teach insects in second grade and I have been having trouble finding fun sites for the kids to use. Do you know of any sites that would be interesting for second graders? Most of the sites I find in a search are no longer available Any help would be wondeful. We are studying meal worms and butterflies. We actually have had so much fun! Any site recomendations would be appreciated. By the way do any of you do a craft project with bugs? Our testing is over and we have a ittle time to do a craft! (Yes! Who knew we could actually have a little fun!) Any suggestions? Bless you all and thanks for your help.

 

[Brooke S.]

Mrs. G

I would be interested to know more about the Caterpillar Club at your school. We have a Butterfly Garden also. Please give me more information.

Thanks

 

[Mrs. G]

Caterpillar club.

Brooke, this is a fairly new club at our school. It is in its second year. The students in the club meet once a month to take care of the garden. They water the plants and weed the garden. They would like to have other grade levels visit the garden so they are making a book to share with the visitors. They also learn about the plants and butterflies that are in the garden. I hope this helps.

 

[Gree]

Our school uses this one

Insectclopedia
http://www.insectclopedia.com