Spring and early summer bring longer days and warmer temperatures here in NY. It is a time when we like to set aside some of our more formal studies in lieu of getting outside. This brings with it nature exploration. Nature hikes, bird watching, identifying trees, flowers, etc. that we see along the way. It’s also a great time for a Butterfly Unit Study as the temperatures get warm enough for the butterflies to be released.
{Disclosure: I received a Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study package and was compensated for my time in writing this review. All views are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. Affiliate links are used in this post and on this website. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.}
Butterfly Unit Study
It has been many years since my youngest found a caterpillar and raised it into a butterfly (or actually a moth in her case). Thus, I was really excited to be able to share this fun activity with my grandson this time!
We also have the added bonus of the Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study to help us learn and create along the way.
With this unit study we discovered there are many different types of butterflies. We learned about the four stages in their life cycle, and experienced each by raising caterpillars into butterflies! We also read engaging books and learned interesting facts about host plants, camouflage, and metamorphosis. We even took trip to a Butterfly Conservatory to see and learn more!
What’s Included in the Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study Package
Butterfly Unit Study Instructor’s Guide schedules reading and activities and includes blank template pages to create a personalized butterfly lapbook.
Activity Sheets – these are actually part of the Instructor’s Guide but I thought they were worth highlighting separately. These include vocabulary, comprehension question, and a variety of matching, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank activities.
Picture & Science Books (Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly, Butterflies for Kiri, and Caterpillars and Butterflies)
Butterfly Unit Study Supplies – supplies needed to complete activities minus a few household items (lapbook file folder, index cards, craft supplies, and more)
The Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study In Action
This was such an engaging unit for us! While my grandson learned vocabulary, completed activity sheets, and read wonderful books, we were able to watch the Butterfly Life Cycle in action!
I love all the added enrichment the Sonlight Butterfly Unit Study added to this experience for us! It gave him the science behind the process. Allowing him to fully understand and enjoy what was transforming before his eyes!
He loved watching them grow and change. But most of all he was so excited to carefully release each one into the wild and watch them fly off! He immediately said, “I want to do this again! This was so awesome!”
Butterfly Conservatory
We are lucky enough to have a beautiful Butterfly Conservatory within a local museum. So of course we topped off our 4 week Butterfly Unit Study with a trip to the Conservatory!
One of the highlights for me was getting to see the huge array of chrysalises that were growing! It was awesome to see how each species created such different looking chrysalises.
Sonlight Sales and A Giveaway
From now through June 30, Sonlight is giving away a 50 States Unit Study Kit.
“Most U.S. states require homeschoolers to complete a study of their state’s history in or around 4th grade. Now you have the option to meet that requirement in true Sonlight style with our brand-new 50 States Unit Study!
Scheduled once a week for 36 weeks this study of your state and its history includes the title The 50 States along with a 3-hole punched Instructor’s Guide, and blank template pages to create your very own State History Notebook.”
Sonlight Sales and Special Offers
Sonlight is often running some sort of sale or deal. These change periodically so be sure to checkout their Sonlight Sales and Special Offers page to see what they have going!
More Butterfly Unit Study Resources
Homeschool Springtime Science: A Collection of Butterfly Resources – After the dark, cold days of winter, spring arrives with warmer temperatures, longer days, and touches of green. It’s time to plant seeds and watch them sprout. It’s time to watch caterpillars eat and grow and change into butterflies. This homeschool springtime science collection of butterfly resources is sure to get you on your way!
Summer Butterfly Nature Study: How to Make a Butterfly Puddle – Over the years, I’ve observed butterflies along hiking trails in the muddy edges. There will sometimes be 10 or 12 butterflies sitting on the mud slowly opening and closing their wings. This behavior fascinated me! After a little research on the internet, I discovered that butterflies are attracted to mud puddles for not only the moisture but the minerals and salts that are present in the mud. So, this summer I’ve decided I want to make my own butterfly mud puddle, but make it in a large saucer.
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