My students and I had the exciting experience of witnessing our monarch caterpillars form chrysalises, then turn into beautiful butterflies. To watch these pinpoint creatures grow to massive proportions while feasting on milkweed was fascinating in itself. But when each caterpillar formed its "j" shape (adhering to a leaf or top of the net enclosure) and a few hours later popped its green innards through its striped skin, the kids and I were in awe.
The chrysalis protected the delicate creature growing inside for about ten days. Then, the chrysalis changed from a lively green to black and eventually became clear, displaying the monarch's colors and stripes within. It emerged, head first. It held onto the shell of the chrysalis as its wings dried. One student brought fruit for its nourishment. My students and I released each butterfly over our school's garden and watched their flights of freedom.
The chrysalis protected the delicate creature growing inside for about ten days. Then, the chrysalis changed from a lively green to black and eventually became clear, displaying the monarch's colors and stripes within. It emerged, head first. It held onto the shell of the chrysalis as its wings dried. One student brought fruit for its nourishment. My students and I released each butterfly over our school's garden and watched their flights of freedom.
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Several weeks before our first encounter, I taught my students how to make origami butterflies for an art project. Here's my tutorial for the origami butterfly.
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