The start of each school year coincides with the migration of the Monarch butterfly, and Trafford Elementary teacher Mr. Michael Bujdos likes to begin his class with a hands-on lesson about butterflies. He strives to spark his 3rd graders’ interest in science, while also teaching about the life cycle of butterflies.
Students were able to observe three live caterpillars eating milkweed and then forming their chrysalises in the classroom. They also witnessed two adult butterflies emerge from their chrysalises that were formed a week before school started. They did this as they read the book "The Amazing Monarch" which explains the four stages of the insect's life cycle in addition to its long migration to Mexico. “It was a perfect way to start the year with some hands-on Science," commented Mr. Bujdos.
3rd-grader Leo Pasquarelli gets an up-close look at the Monarch butterfly
Jeliyah Johnson lets a butterfly perch on her wrist
Students were able to observe caterpillars