We spotlight Marilee Simons, CRS Science Super Star honoree, who teaches at Franklin Elementary in Oakland. Marilee used an engaging and extensive investigation on Painted Lady Butterflies to teach her students about animal life cycles.
April 22, 2020
We are honored to recognize Marilee Simons, 5th Grade Teacher at Franklin Elementary in Oakland, as a 2020 Science Super Star!
How can we create an environment within our classroom that will provide painted butterflies everything they need to grow and reproduce?
Marilee and her class explored this focus question after narrowing it down from their overarching unit on animal life cycles. Her students had some understanding about how cycles differed over various species, but still were confused over certain points (like which animals do/don't lay eggs.)
They wanted to see if they could stimulate the conditions that would allow for two generations in the Painted Lady Butterfly life cycle. Her class recognized that from the caterpillar to the chrysalids to the butterfly, different needs would have to be met.
This hands-on experiment began with a class discussion that covered several important planning points. They needed to ensure that the specimen would not escape, and be safe in their constructed habitat. Their space needed to be able to suit all stages of the butterfly; they wanted to make a space where caterpillars could eat Mallow leaves, chrysalids could hang safely, and butterflies would have enough room to fly and eat orange slices.
They all drew their ideal model habitat. However, after a full discussion on the material and space constraints, they went back to redraw a more realistic model that would still satisfy the changing needs of the butterfly.
While reading her students' answers to the focus questions, Marilee will first write comments in each individual notebook. She will then create an 'exemplar response' and have her students analyze it for positive components. They often go back to revise their own responses, and will volunteer to share their claims with the class.
She notes the success in this:"Several students in my class who are reading below grade level and struggling in math have been able to feel confident and successful during science activities."
Once the class actually had the specimen, Marilee had them record observations daily in a special diary. They drew diagrams and measured length of the caterpillars to check for growth.
When there were eggs, they counted the eggs of a smaller area and multiplied it to find an estimate of the total eggs. They were amazed by the sheer number of eggs laid. Marilee encouraged a deeper thinking of why. They discussed and considered the many ways butterflies may not live into adulthood, and the necessity of laying as many eggs as possible.
Marilee's advice for other students is something she tries to incorporate in her own school year every time. "Try one new lesson every month!"