Lesson Plan

Butterfly and the Bog Beast

To protect themselves, butterflies can blend in with their surroundings or pretend to be something they're not. Your kids make a butterfly with shapes, designs, and colors that help protect it from predators.

  • Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5
Field Trip Notes
The school soccer team is about to play a big game - and they need a new mascot. Janet, Arnold's bossy cousin, suggests the 'Bog Beast' as mascot, and the class heads for Butterfly Bog in search of the beast. There, the bus shrinks to butterfly size, and the kids are tricked, surprised, and frightened by what they think are 'Bog Beasts.' The kids discover that 'Bog Beasts' are really butterflies - winged wonders that protect themselves with camouflage and mimicry. The kids agree: A butterfly will make a great mascot. If only they can unshrink themselves by game time!
Ms. Frizzle's Ideas for the Day

Tricky Butterflies

Time: 30 minutes
Group Size: One

What You Need

Per child:

  • Several sheets of construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Crayons
  • Copy of TRICKY BUTTERFLIES page
  • Sheet of notebook paper
  • Several containers of glue for the group

Talk About It

Why Butterflies Are Tricky, by Tim

Ask: How does the way butterflies look help protect them?

What To Do

  1. Ask: How would a butterfly have to look to blend in with a log? With a field of yellow flowers? (Kids should think about wing color, pattern, and shape - rounded wings may blend in with flowers.) What might happen to bright colors when a butterfly folds its wings? (Some wings are bright only on top and dull underneath, letting the butterfly blend in with dead leaves or logs.) Why do butterflies need these colors and designs? 
  2. Give each group the materials and have children design butterflies that can protect themselves: Trickers (have eye spots, startling colors, or resemble foul-tasting butterflies) or Hiders (camouflage). 

Next Stop

Have kids swap butterflies with each other. Ask: What can you tell about how the other children’s butterflies protect themselves?

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The Magic School Bus: Science Fun Activities

Lessons designed to help you use Scholastic's The Magic School Bus as a supplement to your curriculum. The activities provided build on children's interest in The Magic School Bus and offer lots of opportunities to engage them in hands-on learning. Remember what Ms. Frizzle says, "Get out there and explore!"