It took about 3.5 weeks for our butterflies to go through the different stages we were observing.
We documented the time it took using this simple calendar, and then made graphs at the end to compare how long each stage lasted.
The first two butterflies emerged before class one day, and then by the end of that class we had eight.
That class was able to see how the butterfly's wings are wet and crumpled when they first come out, and then they stretch their wings out to dry.
By the second day of class, all 10 butterflies had emerged and were starting to get more active.
Butterfly Journals
We took some time to carefully observe the features of our butterflies and drew them in our journals.
Butterfly "Tongue" Craft
We also explored interesting facts about butterflies, like how they taste with their feet and use their long proboscis to suck up nectar from the flowers. We made a craft as a fun way to think about their tongues using paper and straws.
Releasing the Butterflies
And then it was time to set our butterflies free! Some butterflies linger long enough for the kids to get a close-up look before they fly away. We had one butterfly this year with a slightly damaged wing, and it stayed on my hand for awhile. This also gave us the opportunity to talk about how fragile butterflies are.
The afternoon class has had a particular interest in bugs all year long, and several girls were especially eager to try and hold a butterfly. Although it's impossible to control that outcome for every student, a few did get the chance.
My favorite part of releasing the butterflies came in the morning class, when they all started saying:
"Goodbye butterflies! Go and drink some nectar!"
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