Other
Monarch Watch
This is an excellent resource for information about the monarch butterfly that includes information about life cycle, migration, observation, conservation, classroom activities, butterfly gardening, butterfly rearing, and the like.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Science Museum of Minnesota: Metamorphosis
A very simple, interactive, and informative explanation of things students can do to learn more about butterflies. Elementary appropriate.
abcteach
Abcteach: Insects
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the insect world using activities and lesson plans that emphasize cross-curricular learning.
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: Eric Carle
What do you know about Eric Carle, the author? This Carol Hurst site highlights some interesting facts about this author's life and refers to some of his books.
Ed Koday
Web Archive: Red Admiral
The upperside of the red admiral butterfly is black with white spots near the wing tips. The forewing has a red band across the middle, and the hindwing has a red band along the edge. The red admirals that are born during the winter are...
Ed Koday
Web Archive: Painted Lady
The upperside of the wings is orange-brown with darker wing bases. The forewing has a black patch and white bar on leading edge, and the hindwing has a row of 5 small black spots and sometimes has blue scales. The underside has a black,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Very Hungry Class
Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is a great trade book to teach many concepts across the curriculum. This lesson has activities to excite your students in all subject areas. Students will be familiar with the metamorphosis...
Read Works
Read Works: Time to Fly!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about monarch butterflies and their migration patterns. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Curated OER
Youngzine: Monarch Caterpillar
It is that time of the year again when the monarch butterflies make their long journey from Canada to Central Mexico. We follow along on their incredible journey, and look at the challenges they encounter. Includes video (four minutes,...
Texas A&M University
Insects in the Classroom: Lesson Plans
A very comprehensive site that includes insect lesson plans for ages 3-18 and links to a syllabus, course material, activities, and related resources.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Using Web Based Bookmarks to Conduct Internet Research
The important thing about this lesson is that it connects literature and science. The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown provides a model for original student poems about a content area topic. Web-based bookmarks guide students to...
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Crafts for Kids
Choose from dozens of simple crafts including activities for the holidays, animal crafts and much more.
Austin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District: Two Poems [Pdf]
Two poems, "Monarch Butterfly" by Marilyn Singer and "The Caterpillar" by Christina Rossetti.
University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky: Bug Fun
This fun site is designed for teachers who want to have interactive fun in the classroom. "Several articles give resources and basic information about insects and their relatives while others outline activities with different insect...