I read 2 books with my 2nd and 4th-grade students: "Monarch Butterfly" by Gail Gibbons and "The Seeds of the Milkweed" by Second grade students from East End Elementary in Little Rock, Arkansas. After reading the first book we discussed the stages in the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. We also discussed why the Monarch might be in danger of being added to the Endangered Species list and what could be done to keep it from happening.
The first step in the collages was to finger paint paper for the wings. Students were given yellow, red, and orange finger paints to blend on their papers. They were also encouraged to use unusual texture tools (bottle caps, tree gumballs, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, a wavy roller, and a leaf cookie cutter) to texture the painting (in the style of Eric Carle). Papers were set aside to dry until the next class.
The next class began with the reading of "The Seeds of the Milkweed". We talked about symmetry in a butterfly's wings. They were then given the choice of beginning their project with the collage and then creating the actual butterfly later or beginning with the butterfly and working towards the collage. Trust me, a lot was happening in the Art Room! The entire project took 3-4 weeks to complete. As students would say they were finished we would look at the collage and talk about the stages represented. Were ALL the stages represented? What could be added? The caterpillar was a challenge for most! Many of the students went back to the books to discover what the caterpillar looked like (colors). They also took a peek to see what color the milkweed should be.
The resulting collages are amazing! A favorite touch on some? The use of wax paper to create a translucent chrysalis.
2nd grade:
4th grade:
