Download Lesson 7 - EXPLORING LIFE CYCLES

Life Cycles – Unit of Work
Time: 50 minutes
Lesson planned by: Cecilia Crocker
Lesson Number: 7 Class: Stage 2
KLA(s):
Science and Technology; English; Creative Arts
Objectives:
For the children to recognise and identify the similarities and differences regarding the life cycle’s of
frogs and butterflies, through engagement with group discussion, technology and hands-on experiences.
Outcomes & Indicators:
ST2-10LW: Describes that living things have life cycles, can be distinguished from non-living things and
grouped, based on their observable features
• Sequence the stages in an animal’s life cycle
• Identify the observable features of animals and use this information to group them using
diagrams etc.
• Understand how ATSI peoples classify some animals
DRAS2.2: Builds the action of the drama by using the elements of drama, movement and voice skills
• Interprets everyday situations to make drama
EN2-1A: Communicates in a range of informal and formal contexts by adopting a range of roles in
group, classroom, school and community contexts
• Adopt a range of roles during pair and group work in order to effectively interact
• Support points of view using relevant information
• Demonstrate understandings through drama representations
Key Scientific Knowledge (KSK):
Life cycle of a Butterfly
A butterfly begins its life as an egg. The egg then hatches and the larva (caterpillar) stage begins. During
this stage the larva feeds and grows, shedding its skin as necessary in order to accommodate its growing
body. The larva then sheds its skin and encases itself inside, creating the chrysalis (pupa) and signalising
the beginning of the transformation stage. Once the transformation from larva to adult butterfly is
complete, the butterfly breaks out from its chrysalis. (Opler, n.d).
Life cycle of a Frog
A frog begins its life as an egg. The egg then hatches, revealing a tadpole. The tadpole then enters a
phase of metamorphosis in which it grows legs and absorbs its tail in order to become an adult frog.
(Department of Education and Early Childhood Development [Victoria], n.d).
Monarch butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is a large, black, orange and white coloured butterfly. The Monarch is
coloured this way so that it is easily identifiable. Its colours also signify to predators that the
Monarch is poisonous. Monarch butterflies are poisonous as a result of eating the poisonous
milkweed plant as larva. An adult Monarch will only lay its eggs on a milkweed plant. Milkweed is
the larva’s primary source of food (National Geographic, n.d).
Poison dart frog
The poison dart frog is a poisonous frog species that can range in colour and patterning. Its colour and
patterning wards off potential predators because it signifies that the frog is poisonous. (National
Geographis, n.d).
Metamorphosis/ transformation stage
A major physical change that occurs during the development of a living thing. An essential process in an
animal’s development from infant to adult (Britton, 2009).
Lesson Development:
To begin, children will be asked to draw on their prior understandings regarding what they have learnt
thus far in order to recount and write down the stages involved during the life cycle of a butterfly and a
frog. During this time the children will also be introduced to the Aboriginal words for frog and butterfly
– gunggung (frog) and burudyara (butterfly). These pronunciations come from the Dharug language,
which was the traditional language of the Darug and Eora peoples of the Sydney region.
Working in pairs, the children will then be given the opportunity to engage with a Prezi file using iPad’s.
The Prezi contains images of the Poison Dart Frog and Monarch Butterfly, as well as a diagram of the
frog life cycle and a video of the butterfly life cycle. In viewing the Prezi file, the children will be able to
assess whether or not they have correctly recounted the animal’s life cycle and make changes to their
notes if necessary.
After viewing the Prezi and with the option to refer back to it as necessary, the children will work in
pairs to create a Venn diagram comparing the similarities and differences between the Monarch Butterfly
and Poison Dart Frog.
Joining back as a group, the children will then use the SMARTboard to create a whole class Venn
diagram. In doing this, the children will have to discuss and compare their own diagrams, as well as
work as group to take turns in writing information onto the SMARTboard (note: SMARTboard file needs
to be saved once completed).
Drawing on the understandings they have extended throughout this lesson, the children will then be
given the opportunity to work in small groups to create and present a drama representation of the life
cycle of either a frog or a butterfly. The children will need to utilise narration, movement and sound
effects to convey their meaning. To finish the lesson, the children will have the opportunity to present
their drama to the rest of the class.
Resources:
• iPad’s – enough for at least 1 between 2
• Prezi file: http://prezi.com/ob7-c1vkxasd/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
• SMARTboard
• Children will need their science notebooks, pencil and eraser.
Catering for Specific Needs:
Support
Extend
Children will be supported through the
Children requiring extending can be given the opportunity to
ability to work closely with their peers
use an iPad to research and compare the similarities and
during pair and whole class activities.
differences between either the Poison Dart Frog and other
Who children work with in their pairs
frogs, or the Monarch Butterfly and other butterflies.
can also be decided to ensure children
who need additional support, work with
a peer who is able to help scaffold and
support their learning.
ATSI learners are supported in this
experience through the use of
Aboriginal names.