Higher:
Is able to explain the differences between the life cycles
Middle:
Can map the life cycle of a butterfly and a frog
Lower:
Knows what a life cycle is
Lesson Recap Starter: Think back to the last lesson. Write a definition for the term asexual reproduction?
Lesson Starter: What stages of growth does a butterfly go through?
Can children name the stages of growth?
Egg - Larvae (caterpillar) - Pupa - Adult
Presentation - Starter Slide
Handout - Label and colour the butterfly life cycle
Answer questions and take part in activities during the presentation. Stop the presentation at the relevant slides: Talk Partners; AfLs; Songs. Take part in the Choral Response Questions activity (see Assessment section) after the Keywords/Rocket Words slide.
Key Concept:
During this unit, each lesson contains a key concept question housed in the '30 Second Challenge' slide. To help children master this content so the knowledge moves from their short term memory to their long term memory, at the beginning of the follow on lesson the question from the previous lesson is revisited.
The questions covered during this unit include:
1. What is sexual reproduction?
2. Write a definition for the term asexual reproduction?
3. Explain the differences between the life cycle of an insect and an amphibian.
4. Describe the life cycle of a mammal, bird and reptile.
5. Why is Sir David Attenborough's work contribution important?
6. Why is Dame Jane Goodall's research important?
Expert Film: Dr Ian Bedford, who heads up the Entomology Group at the John Innes Centre, describes the life cycle of a butterfly.
Ask pupils to note the stages of the life cycle. As a class discuss what they have learnt
How we deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks:
2 - Learning from career and labour market information: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about jobs in your area.
4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers: This unit showcases careers that relate to living things and their habitats. Access our 360° virtual work tours.
7 - Encounters with Further and Higher Education: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about training providers in your area.
Presentation - Expert Film.
Life Cycle Comparison
Watch today's lesson assignment film for more help with this activity.
Using the handout the children should compare the similarities and differences between the life cycle of a butterfly, with the life cycle of a frog and a bird.
There are additional assignments available for this lesson, see the films on the presentation.
Life Cycle Comparison
Handout
Complete Handout page 2&3 on the life cycle of the butterfly.
Quiz
With their talk partners, the children are to go through the quiz at the end of the presentation and answer the questions.
Handout - Page 2&3
Quiz in presentation
What is a life cycle?
How does a butterfly's life cycle compare with other animals?
How does a frog's life cycle look?
Quizzes in pupil zone.
Unit knowledge organiser and test available in unit documents area.
A butterflies life cycle starts when...
The life cycle develops by...
The difference between a butterfly and a frog is...
The Science Behind the Science
Butterflies have 4 main stages in their life cycles, going from the egg stage to the adult stage. The entire process is called metamorphosis and it can take anywhere from 1 month to 1 year, depending on the species of butterfly. The four main stages are:
Stage 1: Egg
The life cycle of a butterfly begins as an egg. Female butterflies lay a closely-packed cluster of small, round eggs on a leaf. After a few days, a small worm-like organism hatches from the egg.
Stage 2: Caterpillar / Larva
The next stage in the life cycle is the caterpillar (or larva) stage. A caterpillar is a long creature with a stripy or patchy pattern and many legs. As soon as it hatches from the egg, it starts to eat the surrounding flowers and leaves. During this period of continuous eating, the caterpillar grows very rapidly and has to shed its skin multiple times to compensate for the growth (a process known as moulting). This stage typically lasts between 2 and 5 weeks.
Stage 3: Chrysalis / Pupa
The next stage in the life cycle is the chrysalis (or pupa) stage. Once the caterpillar has reached the end of its rapid growth phase it will make a chrysalis (a protective covering) around itself that is usually coloured green or brown to blend into the surrounding plants. This ensures that it cannot be seen (and then attacked or eaten) during this period of rest and change. This stage usually lasts a couple of weeks. Within this time, the caterpillar will physically change and turn into a butterfly inside the chrysalis.
Stage 4: Butterfly / Adult / Imago
The final stage in the life cycle is the butterfly (or adult or imago) stage. During this stage, the chrysalis opens and the butterfly emerges. To start with, the wings of the butterfly are scrunched up and moist. However, they rapidly start to harden and flatten out once they are held in position to allow the circulation of blood. After a period of rest, the butterfly can start flying. Eventually, the butterfly will seek out a mate to reproduce and initiate a new life cycle.
Describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird.
The study of the characteristics, systems, and behaviours of humans and other animals, and of plants; the interactions and relationships between and among them, and with the environment.
Reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and a degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations
Grade 5 - Life Science - Diversity of Life - Parenting and Offspring - Life Cycles - Life cycles of animals (Complete Metamorphosis, incomplete metamorphosis)