How can we help first and second grade students understand the process of plant and animal life cycles? Using engaging and interactive science activities, we can watch life grow and change in front of our eyes. With these resources and activities, students will:

• explore how butterflies and frogs change through complete metamorphosis

• observe the life cycle of plants

• compare plant and animal life cycles

Want to dive deeper into your plants unit? Read the Life Cycle of Plants Craft and Activities blog post.

Observe the Butterfly Life Cycle

Help students get ready to explore the life cycle of a butterfly by front loading important vocabulary. Using interactive notebook pages, students will learn about the stages of the butterfly life cycle. Display a class anchor chart that students can refer to throughout the unit to compare life cycles.

What’s a better way to learn about life cycles than to watch life grow right inside your classroom?

How to Set Up a Butterfly Habitat in Your Classroom:

1. Order a butterfly hatching kit. This kit comes with: Monarch butterfly larvae, milkweed seeds, butterfly food, cups, a pop-up cage and more.

2. Place the butterfly larva into a clear plastic container with plenty of food. Students can observe the larva as they eat and grow.

3. Continue watching the larva as they form a chrysalis. Wait a few days before moving the chrysalis to the cage.

4. Carefully secure each chrysalis to the top of the cage without disturbing them. Wait for the butterflies to hatch.

5. Once the butterflies hatch, make sure they have plenty of food and water.

6. Plan a warm day to set your butterflies free.

If it’s not possible to set up a butterfly habitat, you can observe virtually.

Butterfly Life Cycle Activities

Students can show their understanding of the butterfly life cycle by completing fun activities for independent practice. With these no-prep activities, students will cut out and sequence each stage of the life cycles.

Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

Looking for a spring craft for your bulletin board? This butterfly life cycle craft is the perfect resource for you. Your students will love coloring their own butterfly and hiding each stage under each wing.

Butterfly Life Cycle Paper Chain

We can make the life cycle concept more concrete with a fun paper chain activity. Students will sequence the stages of the life cycle to see how the cycle continues on.

Frog Life Cycle Activities

Introduce new vocabulary to help students understand the stages of the frog life cycle. I use vocabulary cards and display them for students to add to their science notebooks using interactive notebook pages.

Frog Life Cycle Flap Book

Now that your students are frog experts, they can put their knowledge to the test with their frog life cycle flap book. With the flap book, students will fill in the missing information to complete the book. They can practice reading their book during independent reading time.

Observe the Plant Life Cycle

Your little scientists will love keeping their observation skills strong by continuing to observe the life cycle of plants. It doesn’t matter if you have a class plant to take care of, or students plant their own seeds.

To see the whole life cycle, plant fast-growing seeds like, grass or Lima beans, in clear plastic cups. This will allow students to observe the parts of the plant as it grows. Students can keep track of their plant growth using a plant journal.

Students can begin to see the similarities and differences among the life cycles of insects, plants, and animals.

Wrap-Up

After these fun and engaging lessons, your scientists will be experts on the many changes of living things.

• Students understand that butterflies and frogs go through complete metamorphosis.

• Students compare the life cycle of plants and animals.

Want to try this later? Save these Life Cycles of Butterflies, Frogs, and Plant Activities to your favorite Pinterest board.

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