This is what we started with:
The kids started an observation booklet to keep track of what they saw. This really helped them practice their writing.
As we waited for the caterpillars to change, some of the kids were interested in representing the life cycle of a butterfly and made this fun visual using pasta.
Then one day we saw something really neat. Some of the butterflies began forming chrysalises!
The kids recorded their observations in their booklets.
When we returned from the May long weekend, we saw tons of butterflies...
...and the kids added to their booklets.
Finally, it was time to release the butterflies into the wild. We took them to the butterfly garden near the parking lot where they had flowers to fly to after they were released. A lot of them hung around for a bit and even landed on the kids.
We had a ton of fun learning about caterpillars and butterflies and I'm sure we'll see our painted ladies when we're outside for recess.