growing butterflies in your classroom

I wanted to teach about the life cycle of the butterfly and wanted to grow butterflies in my classroom... where do i get these catapillars? Also, has anyone done this before?

Re: growing butterflies in your classroom

I have never done it- but one of my former colleagues did it with her kids. To tell you the truth, the caterpillars looked like the ones we found in our yard. As they emerged each kid got a turn naming them (it was a special needs class so there were only about 10 kids) and then they had a celebration to release them.

Sorry I don't have more specifics- I do recall that she had this tall wire thing that was covered with net. I bet your kids will love it!

Re: growing butterflies in your classroom

I did a unit on butterflies about 10 years ago. I ordered the kit and the mesh house thingy and then we released them as a class. I'm not much help because I forget what company I used. I would suggest that you might not want to assign students to each caterpillar just in case some don't make it.

Re: growing butterflies in your classroom

I do it every year with my students. Call INSECT LORE. I do not have the number but there is a website.

Re: growing butterflies in your classroom

You can buy the butterfly holder in places like educational warehouse or lakeshore. Inside, there is a coupon for 5 caterpillars that you can send in :)

Re: growing butterflies in your classroom

we do it every year. Not sure where we get the caterpillars from (actually they come as eggs) since we do it as part of our science curriculum. It's actually very easy, and lots of fun. Just make sure you don't order the stuff before spring break.

Re: growing butterflies in your classroom

I did this with a 2nd grade class last year, and they loved it! I'm sorry, but I don't know where the supplies came from, since the school ordered them. But overall, the caterpillars/butterflies were relatively easy to take care of. I would say the hardest part was transferring the chrysalises from the small plastic containers that the caterpillars started out in, into the mesh container without damaging or dropping them. If a chrysalis falls from the one thread it's hanging by, then the butterfly inside will die. I did lose a few during the transfer, but we did have several butterflies hatch. It was really amazing for the kids to get the watch them emerge.