Little Stars Learning...Resources for Teaching Young Children
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butterflies

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All images on printables personally created and under full copyright.
PRIVATE DOCUMENT simply means you can only access it through this site. Please feel free to download and print.

  color match print

A file folder game where the children will match the appropriate missing half of the butterfly. Additional color butterflies provided for use on the flannel board or for other color activities.

Skills: color recognition, color words, fine motor, observation
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 Sizing  PRINT                                          sizing labels  print 

Print out and cut apart prior to laminating. This is a flannel board activity that I leave up for the duration of the theme. The children size them from smallest to largest or largest to smallest. When done, they jumble them up on the side of the flannel board so it's ready to go for the next person. This is a free play activity after we do it the first time as a class. I also incorporate size words and ordinal count into this activity. I keep these with the flannel board with and the children will utilize those after sizing, or I'll put those up first to give the kids an idea of placement. You can also print these out on different colored paper for size matching, color matching, etc.

Skills: visual discrimination, letter recognition, reading, logic/reasoning, fine and gross motor, spelling, vocabulary, ordinal count and numerical order.
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  puzzles  print

5 pages. The puzzles can be printed out on cardstock and each piece laminated individually, spray adhered to 1/8" masonite and spray sealed,or sized on your printer to fit onto craft sticks.

Skills: fine motor, logic/reasoning, sequencing, visual observation, number order, number recognition, spelling, letter recognition, phonics

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 Counting   print

I like to print out the odds on red paper and the even on green as a precursor for teaching odd and even concepts, the concept being red=STOP you can't divide them evenly, or green=GO you CAN divide them evenly into two groups. Printed out on cardstock, cut in half, and laminate for an excellent counting and number recognition matching game. For older children, the left sides can be cut again to make it a 3-part matching. Printed out and colored, these also make small number booklets. Cut down the middle and flip one side prior to copying to make staple margins on each side. Also can be used to create a number line.

Skills: 1-1 correspondence, method counting, rote counting, number recognition, number word recognition, odd/even, Spanish number words,
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  Booklet print

My students love these little books. They each have a bin that they store them in and take them out to read during free play and reading time. Because they are simple, repetitive, provide visual clues and we read them many times during the week, they really get the information and are able to easily retain it.

Skills: fine motor, purposeful coloring, staying within the lines, counting, number recognition, letter recognition, reading, number words, shape, sight words, reading conventions, counting conventions, method counting, rote counting
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  Graph print

Children will work independently or in pairs to complete the graph until one column is completed, using the number cards or dry erase markers (if laminated) to fill in the graph. Learning opportunities exist for more/less, most/least, addition of two columns vs. two other columns, how many more or less one column has than another, other comparisons and quantifications. Can also be used as a game where the children pick a butterfly and take turns rolling the die until one child's column is complete.

Skills: observation skills, fine motor, rote counting, 1 to 1 correspondence, graphing, comparison, logic, reasoning, quantification
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  Patterning  print

 Teaches the major sequencing/patterning conventions AB, ABC, AABB, ABBA, etc... I've included a label to make this into a file folder activity, or it can be cut into strip cards.

Skills: patterning, 1-1 correspondence, visual recognition, logic/reasoning, rote counting, fine motor
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  Number/Sound Cards  PRINT

These are a free choice activity. I keep the cards and clothes pins in a bin in the middle of the work table (math or reading center appropriate.) I have them use blue clothes pins for the numbers, green for the beginning sound and red for the ending sound.

Skills: fine motor, method counting, beginning sounds, ending sounds, phonics, letter recognition, logic and reasoning.  
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 Maze   PRINT

The page can be printed out, laminated, and used with dry erase markers or wax pencils, or printed out in gray scale for individual worksheets.

I prefer for them to be able to do it over as often as they like, as this type of activity reinforces reasoning skills, that they may be figuring out, and so want to explore this type of activity in different ways, just to see if it is always the same result, and this is EXCELLENT fine motor/prewriting practice that children should be able to participate in as often as possible. A worksheet is very limiting as it is over and done.

Skills: logic/reasoning, fine motor, symmetry
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  Pre-Writing  print #1     print #2

For the littlest kids, I do this with them, guiding their hand. On this type of activity, once completed appropriately, I always ask the children to embellish as they choose.

Skills: pre-writing, fine motor, logic/reasoning, following directions, letter recognition, color words.
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  dot-to-dot print

Four dot-to-dots of the same image. Easy 1-10, harder 1-30, uppercase and lowercase. I always ask the children to embellish as they choose.

Skills: Fine motor, number recognition, rote counting, letter recognition, letter order
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 Shadow match print

Shadow matching is an important logic/reasoning and observation activity for preschoolers. While it may seem simple to us, for them it can be difficult.

Skills: fine motor, logic, reasoning, observation, directional placement
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  Measuring print

Math center open activity for measuring and recording measurements by units. Good logic/reasoning activity as the small and large units are exactly 2/1 in ratio. Interesting to see which children arrive at this conclusion on their own.

Skills: unit measuring, rote counting, number recognition, fine motor, logic, reasoning, visual discrimination
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  CRAFT - pattern  print

Pattern that can be used to make symmetrical butterfly paintings or other craft items.  Add a cylinder of construction paper to the abdomen to create finger puppet.
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  CRAFT - Footprint butterflies print

 Blanks for both girls and boys... For detailed instructions check out my blog on this activity.

"Beautiful butterfly, precious and sweet,
Amazing how you look like [name]’s feet!"
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  Game  print/download $1.50

A simple board game. Players roll a die and move around the board. Preschoolers can use the game board dealing with letter recognition and color recognition. Older children use the sight word game board.

Skills: Rolling a die, method counting, rote counting, directional movement, turn taking, social play, letter recognition, reading, concept of rules
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  Build A   print

Children roll a die, youngest goes first. If the die number is for an item that has already been completed then the turn is forfeit. Cut pieces apart and laminate individually. One building reference card per every 3 students is best. Up to 6 students can comfortably play at one time.

Skills: rote counting, method counting, group dynamics, sharing, taking turns, game play, rules, 1-1 correspondence, reading a die, rolling a die, fine motor
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  Fusebead Pattern

 No additional file. Copy or print image below. Attach magnet to back once fused.

Skills: fine motor, creative expression, following directions

 Pattern blocks print

Exploring geometric forms and relationships, symmetry, congruence, and angles.  

Skills: fine motor, geometry, logic/reasoning, observation, 1-1 correspondence
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  Word Search PRINT

This is a very simple word search. Words are across or down. Even children who don't read can do this simply by recognition of pattern, rather than "reading" the word.  Laminate for multi-use, or print out for worksheets.

Skills: left/right and up/down convention, reading, uppercase and lowercase letter recognition, spelling, fine motor
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  Words  print

Words related to the theme that the children can spell out using the letter cards or scrabble tiles. For a higher level of difficulty, lowercase to uppercase can be tasked.

Skills: Letter recognition, 1-1 correspondence, fine motor, upper/lower case, vowels, phonics

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Upper and lowercase letters included.

  poster print

A visual for the theme.

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  Lacing  print #1    Print #2

Print out, laminate, and use spray adhesive to adhere to heavy cardboard or 1/8" masonite and cut out. Punch holes (masonite will need to be drilled), attach laces to one end. If you don't want to purchase laces, thin white cotton shoe laces can be used, or yarn with taped ends.

Skills: fine motor, methodical process,
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  Word Wall print                                 Sentence Wall print

Working on theme vocabulary and concepts. Words provide conventions of silent "e," and double vowels.  The sentences provide a good opportunity to review/introduce punctuation. These are posted and we go over them in the morning together. I point to the card and we all say the word then spell it together. Then we all say the sentences together as I point to each word. Throughout the day I'll throw out questions, such as "Who knows how to spell (word wall word)?" and they'll race to the wall and spell it. Or, I'll ask, "___ does WHAT?" and they'll race to tell me a sentence, usually from memory, and I'll direct them to the sentence wall and have them "read" it, pointing to the words to reinforce. Later in the week I'll up the game to ask, "How do you spell ..." a sentence wall words that they usually have to find/recognize, then spell.

Skills: letter recognition, reading, spelling, phonics, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary
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  lap book Print

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  Book suggestions

For all go to STORE/THEMES/BUTTERFLIES
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Resources Needed for Curriculum

Monarch Butterfly Pictures and Facts Kid Zone
 

  video suggestions

For all go to STORE/THEMES/BUTTERFLIES
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 Additional Resources

 
Butterfly Online Jigsaw Puzzle  First School
Caterpillar Online Jigsaw Puzzle First School
How to Make Butterfly Wings Hub
Butterfly Cards from Prekinders
Making Colored Butterfly (bowtie) Pasta from No Time for Flashcards
Butterfly ID Chart London Natural History Museum

  POETRY

The Caterpillar
by Christina Rosetti

Brown and furry
Caterpillar in a hurry;
Take your walk
To the shady leaf or stalk.

May no toad spy you,
May the little birds pass by you;
Spin and die,
To live again a butterfly.
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To a Butterfly
by William Wordsworth

I've watched you now a full half-hour;
Self-poised upon that yellow flower
And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless!--not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!
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  Songs, fingerplays

The Little Caterpillar (Itsy, Bitsy Spider)
The little caterpillar crawled up into a tree,
Spun his cocoon and slept so quietly,
All through the winter he didn't make a sound,
He dreamt of his new life when he'd be flying all around.
While he was sleeping the snow did gently fall,
Winter came and went, then he heard the robin's call,
Come on Mr. Butterfly, out of your cocoon
Spread your wings and fly for me, while I sing my tune.

Caterpillar (Row, row your boat)
One caterpillar , two caterpillars, three caterpillars today.
Four caterpillars, five caterpillars eating all the day.
One cocoon, two cocoons three cocoons today.
Four cocoons, five cocoons sleeping all the day.
One butterfly, two butterflies three butterflies today.
Four butterflies, five butterflies, flying, flying away.

Oh Butterfly!  (Oh Christmas Tree)
Oh, butterfly, Oh, butterfly
How I love your colors.
Oh, butterfly, Oh, butterfly
How I love your colors.
You fly so high and beautiful,
Your so soft and gentle.
Oh, butterfly, Oh, butterfly,
How I love your colors.

Little Butterfly  (I'm A Little Teapot)
I'm a little butterfly
I have wings
I fly around
And see all things.
When I see a flower
That looks great
I call out
To all of my mates.

 






Flutter, Flutter, Butterfly  (Twinkle, Twinkle)
Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Floating in the summer sky.
Floating by for all to see,
Floating by so merrily.
Flutter, flutter, butterfly,
Floating in the summer sky.

The Caterpillar
The fuzzy little caterpillar went up into a tree (act like your climbing)
spun his cocoon and then (yawn) went to sleep (spin hands)
While he was sleeping he dreamt that he could fly (making flying motion)
When he woke up (loud, excited) he was a butterfly.

The Fuzzy Caterpillar 
Once there was a caterpillar fuzzy as could be,
He ate and ate and ate all the new, green leaves. (Crawl on the Ground pretending to eat everything)
And when he was finished and could eat no more,
He made himself a chrysalis that didn't have a door. (Role up into a tight ball)

While inside this chrysalis, he began to change,
The fuzzy caterpillar would never be the same.
After seven days, he broke out and my oh my,
The caterpillar he had been was now a butterfly.
(Have them hold their arms out and run around the room)_

  crafts

No-sew caterpillar: http://allthingschildren.blogspot.com/2010/05/no-sew-caterpillar-and-butterfly.html
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 Food activities

Food: Orange slices and grapes butterfly snack via http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2011/05/orange-slice-butterflies.html

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  games

What did the caterpillar eat today?

A classic memory game with 7 rounds. Children will be shown a tray of foods, one or more will be removed for each day of the week, and they have to tell what is gone. The child who gets it correct first, gets to place the removed item on the day of the week card that was called.

  Sensory tub

Sensory tubs are appropriate for children over 3 years old due to small pieces being the main sensory components. Ideas for this theme include:

  • Fake turf or Easter grass
  • Plastic butterflies
  • Colored butterfly (bowtie) pasta
  • Fake flowers
  • Fake branches with leaves
  • Pom poms, rice grains or beans for eggs
  • Small fish nets for catching those "butterflies"
  • Scoops
  • Containers
  • For chrysalis: wooden eggs, brown covered Easter eggs, nuts

  dramatic play area

  • Butterfly wings
  • Butterfly masks
  • Cardboard box "chrysalis" to emerge out of
  • Foods for child-caterpillars to chomp
  • Flowers for child-butterflies to suck the nectar out


 teaching objectives

  • Butterflies and moths are different
  • Butterflies create a chrysalis, moths create cocoons
  • Caterpillars hatch from eggs and become butterflies
  • Caterpillars eat leaves, vegetables and fruit
  • Butterflies eat nectar
  • Metamorphosis is how caterpillars become butterflies
  • Identify the major parts of a butterfly
  • Describe the lifecycle