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com
Common Core Supplement
LEVEL
H H
Key Question
Why are life cycles important?
Vocabulary
Academic vocabulary: becomes (v.), cycle (n.)
Discuss each academic vocabulary word with students. Point to the use of each
word in the book, and then use each word in a different model sentence. Have
students work in groups to create posters for these words. Include on each poster:
the word and its part of speech, the definition, the word in an example sentence,
and a picture (if possible) illustrating the meaning of the word. Hang these posters
up in the classroom for students to see and refer to as they encounter the words within
other texts, lessons, and assignments.
Story words
butterfly (n.), caterpillar (n.), life cycle (n.), mate (n.), pupa (n.), stages (n.)
Go to VocabularyAZ.com for a pre-made vocabulary lesson for The Butterfly Life Cycle.
Ask and answer questions
Before reading, have small groups write one question they have about the book on a sticky note.
Write the questions on the board for all the students to see. At the end of the reading, allow
time for students to tell which of their questions were answered. Have students cite the evidence
from the text that supports their responses.
Text features: Analyze photographs
Explain that photographs are important when reading because they provide readers with
information. Have students locate the photograph on page 4. Next have students read the
accompanying text. Ask: Can you locate the four stages in the photograph? What are they?
How does the photograph help readers understand the words they read? Repeat the activity
with photographs throughout the book.
Text-dependent questions
Next to each answer, have students write the page number(s) where they found information
in the text to answer the questions.
How long does it take for the butterfly egg to hatch? (level 1)
What is the first thing the caterpillar eats? (level 1)
How many times does the caterpillar shed its skin? (level 1)
How does the caterpillars colors help protect it? (level 3)
What is a pupa? (level 2)
Why does a butterfly have to hang upside down after it emerges from the shell? (level 2)
How long does a monarch butterfly live? (level 1)
How many eggs might a female monarch lay in a lifetime? (level 1)
Graphic organizer: Sequence events
Have students use the lesson graphic organizer to explain the order of a butterflys life cycle.
Response to reading
Have students cite specific evidence from the book to answer the key question.
The Butterfly Life Cycle
Name
C
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C
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S
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p
p
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m
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t
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Instructions: Have students cut out and place the events in the boxes using the correct sequence of events.
T
h
e

B
u
t
t
e
r
f
l
y

L
i
f
e

C
y
c
l
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L
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v
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H
First
Next
Then
After that
Next
Then
Final l y
A caterpil l ar grows i nside the egg and hatches.
The pupa emerges from its cocoon and becomes a butterfl y.
The butterfl y fl ies away to l ook for food and a mate.
The caterpil l ar grows quickl y. Its ski n spl its and peels away.
A femal e monarch butterfl y l ays an egg on a l eaf.
It hangs from a branch and sheds its ski n one l ast ti me.
The caterpil l ar becomes a pupa.
The hungry caterpil l ar eats a l ot.
The caterpil l ar sheds its ski n four to six ti mes.
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