The Life Cycle of Butterflies

The main objective of this unit is to introduce young children to the concept of life cycles by using one organism as an example. Students also learn observational and recording skills, and add to their scientific vocabulary.

The Life Cycle of Butterflies highlights the life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui). This butterfly is especially well suited for classroom study. It is small and brightly colored, will accept a variety of foods, is found worldwide, and undergoes a complete metamorphosis in a relatively short time (from three to four weeks, depending on the temperature).

Comparing & Measuring

Children naturally make comparisons. At one time or another, many children have stood back to back with a friend to find out who is taller. An experience such as this involves comparing, which lays the foundation for matching and, subsequently, learning to measure.

Comparing and measuring are important science skills. When scientists do experiments, they often need to measure; that is, using numbers and standard units of measure, they describe properties as length, volume, weight, and temperature.

Comparing and Measuring gives students a variety of experiences in comparing, matching, and measuring. Throughout the unit, students will observe similarities and differences among objects and match and measure lengths, heights, and distances.

Organisms

Children have a natural curiosity about both animals and plants. But few have been asked to look at the two togther, to think about how plants and animals are alike and different, and to think about themselves as organisms, too.

Organisms gives children the opportunity to explore these likenesses and differences and thereby, to become more aware of the diversity of life. As they investigate a variety of organisms, students discover that organisms have certain basic needs, such as food and water.In addition, they learn that organisms have certain specific needs--needs specific to the type of organism--such as type of water, range of temperature, and type of food. In observing and taking care of a number of different plants and animals, students begin to develop positive attitudes and a sensitivity toward living things.

Plant Growth & Development

Students will have an opportunity to experience the complete life cycle of a plant in a very short time and learn that the cycle includes germination, growth, development of specialized parts, and even death, with the promise of new life in the seed.

Plant Growth and Development features rapid-cycling Wisconsin Fast Plants™, which go from seed to seed in 40 days. Wisconsin Fast Plants are Brassicas (the mustard and cabbage family), and were developed over a period of 15 years by Dr. Paul Williams of the University of Wisconsin.

Microworlds

Students will learn how to observe, how to record their observations, using both writing and drawing, and about the properties of magnifies. They will become skilled at using hand lenses, microscopes, slides, coverslips, droppers, and other related apparatus.

In Microworlds students will work from the easiest specimens to view to the most difficullt. They will begin with Volvox, which is a relatively large, bright-green alga. They should have little difficulty in locating it on a slide and tracking its slow, rolling progress. Next, they obsere Blepharisma, which is right pink and fairly large, but faster moving. Then the vinegar eel presents real challenges. Although it is the largest living organism to be viewed, the vinegar ell is transparent, very quick moving, and not particulary pleasing to look at.

Ecosystems

By fifth grade, most children have become increasingly curious about the complexity of the world around them and about the relationships between the living and non-living elements in their environment. News stories, community and school projects, and books that promote ecology introduce them to environmental issues. They are fascinated by ways they can help save the environment and the organisms in it.

Ecosystems helps students understand the web of relationships that links organisms to one another and to their natural environment. By constructing, observing, discussin, and reading about both land and water ecosystems in this unit, students can develop a growing sensitivity to living things and what they need to survive.

Experiments with Plants

This unit features rapid-cycling Wisconsin Fast Plants™ as a vehicle for experimentation. These plants are Brassicas, members of the mustard and cabbage family, and they were developed by Paul Williams of the University of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Fast Plants are especialy well-suited for classroom study because they are hardy, compact, thrive under artificial lights, and complete their life cycle in about 40 days.

Experiments with Plants teaches students how to design and conduct controlled investigative experiments. They learn through discussion and reading to identify the key variables that affect the life, health, and reproductive capabilities of Wisconsin Fast Plants, and they learn they can manipulate these variables.