Butterfly, butterfly, it's time to set you free

[Post-dated]

Weeks ago, an expert on butterfly was invited to Beacon to give a talk to our primary one kids during the assembly period.

Thereafter, each class was given five containers with caterpillars and some leaves.

This is a rare chance for pupils and teachers like me to observe the metamorphosis.

Then over the weekends, the caterpillars took turn to transform into pupae.

(above) See the green pupa on the side wall of the plastic container?

It was molting.

(above) The skin left behind after the pupa turned into a butterfly.

(above)These were the lime butterflies from various classes, ready to be set free.

(above) Mr Koh (HOD for Science & Maths) was ready to bring one butterfly out while the enthralled kids looked on with gasps and wide-eyes.

(above two photos) Mr Koh taking out a butterfly to show our class pupils.

Looking on closely was our dear Gabriena.

(above) Wow, Mr Koh could use his fingers to hold the wings of the butterful,

of course, very gently!

(below) The intrigued pupils listening and looking at the butterfuly in Mr Koh's hands.

(above) Mr Koh explaining about the importance of removing the butterflies from the container

so that the sticky liquid emitted during the metamorphosis would not glue the wings together.

(above) More explanations to our very thrilled and inquistive pupils.

(above) How to differentiate between female and male butterfly?

Look at the two big dots on the bottom of the wings.

The half-coloured dots are female whereas male have full coloured dots.

Words to learn:
1. caterpillar
2. pupa (singular) or pupae (plural)
3. molt / molting
4. butterfly
5. metamorphosis
6. life cycle

Want to learn more about butterfuly? Click here Butterfly School or a short write-up on Lime Butterfly.