I student teach in a fifth grade classroom, and I've discovered that this butterfly garden is the perfect subject for scientific journals and beginning diagrams. Our class watched five butterflies metamorphasize over the course of about a month. As a writing exercise, I asked each of my students to write a review about the butterfly habitat. Here is what they wrote: "I liked watching the stages of the butterflies. I liked watching the butterflies flying around." "It seems like the butterflies are cramped, but I like it because it has sunlight for them. It's a perfect habitat." "I like the butterflies because they are fun to look at, and they are beautiful. I have learned a lot about butterflies." "We liked raising the butterflies, watching them grow up, and seeing them go from a caterpillar to a butterfly." One even wrote, "I like the butterflies because I think it is a good learning experience. The butterflies are very pretty," and, "I like the butterflies because before they went into their cocoons I think their heads fell off!!" As you can see, the children really enjoyed watching metamorphosis in their classroom. I don't think they'll ever forget watching the butterflies grow up, so they will really remember the stages of butterfly metamorphosis. Overall, I would also rate this habitat highly. I was afraid that the caterpillars would take a long time to arrive, but they arrived less than a week after I mailed the pre-addressed postcard asking for them to be sent. (That was in February) The habitat wasn't as sturdy as it could have been, but its clear sides made observation easy when lots of children wanted to see inside. The teacher I work with is kind enough to feed the butterflies everyday, and it looks like a pretty sticky job! (The butterflies eat normal sugar water.) Feeding them after they emerge from their cocoons will be a little messy. It was incredibly easy to raise these butterflies. Even with 21 students peering at them and jostling their habitat, all five of the butterflies made it. Our fifth grade class highly recommends this easy-to-build, fun-to-watch scientific habitat.
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We loved the success and miraculous growth of our butterflies so much, I am ordering these kits for several children (including a replacement for our own family). All five caterpillars formed chrysalides, and 4 emerged as Painted Ladies. Because our temperatures dropped unexpectedly in So. Cal., we kept our butterflies inside. My girls enjoyed making carnation "salads" for their pets. Similar to all the other reviews, we ran to the "garden" each time we came home or woke up, to see changes every time.
