C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Insects & Minibeasts·conceptual

Caterpillar to butterfly

Caterpillar to butterfly: the life cycle of a butterfly as an observable transformation. Egg → caterpillar → chrysalis → butterfly. The idea that one creature can change its whole form. Classroom butterfly kits, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Suggested ages 5–7

Open direct link

Evidence of understanding

  • Describe the four stages of a butterfly's life in order: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly
  • Explain that the caterpillar and the butterfly are the same creature at different stages of life
  • Retell or draw the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly after reading a story or watching it happen

Assessment prompt

If Caterpillar to butterfly watched a caterpillar make a chrysalis — or read The Very Hungry Caterpillar — could they tell you what happens next and how it becomes a butterfly?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.