The Plant Life Cycle
K-2
1
The Butterfly Life Cycle
Lesson Details
Grade Level
K-2
Duration (minutes)
1
Summary
A Grade K-2 science lesson explaining the four stages of a butterfly's life cycle — egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult butterfly — and introducing the term metamorphosis for this cyclical process of change.
Student Worksheet: The Butterfly Life Cycle
Teacher Note: Students can watch the video lesson above and answer the questions. Click the “Teacher Answer Key” dropdown below when you are ready to review the solutions!
Key Concepts:
• Metamorphosis: The big change a butterfly goes through as it grows, made up of four stages.
• Egg & Caterpillar: A mother butterfly lays a tiny egg on a leaf; the caterpillar (larva) hatches from the egg and eats leaves to grow bigger.
• Chrysalis: The caterpillar forms a protective case called a chrysalis (pupa), where it changes into a butterfly.
• Adult Butterfly: The butterfly emerges with soft wings, which dry so it can fly, then lays eggs to start the cycle again.
Instructions: Read each question carefully and write your answer in the space provided.
- Question 1: What are the four stages of the butterfly life cycle, in order?
- Question 2: What is a caterpillar’s job during the larva stage?
- Question 3: What happens to the caterpillar inside the chrysalis?
- Question 4: Why can’t a new butterfly fly right away?
- Question 5: What is the name for this whole four-stage process of change?
Click to reveal Teacher Answer Key
1. Egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly.
2. To eat leaves and grow bigger.
3. The caterpillar changes into a butterfly.
4. Because its wings are soft at first and need time to dry before it can fly.
5. Metamorphosis.
Disclaimer: This worksheet was generated with AI assistance based on original video content. It is intended for educational reference only. Teachers are encouraged to review and adjust questions to fit their curriculum standards before classroom use.
🎯 Extension Activity: Draw the four stages of the butterfly life cycle in order, labeling each one: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. Draw an arrow from the butterfly back to the egg to show the cycle starting again.