Liam the Butterfly Helper Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

 

Children will meet Liam, a Michigan-based youth who works hard to help monarch butterflies.

 

Social and Life Skills:

social awareness

 

Social Studies Focus:

current events

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, read a diagram, compare/contrast

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a life cycle

 

Vocabulary:

lepidopterist, native, pesticides

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 use text features; RI.2.7 read a diagram; RI.2.9 compare texts; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions; L.2.2 letter writing

 

Lexile level:

520L

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Provide students with some background on butterflies.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “The Life of a Butterfly.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • How does a caterpillar change as it grows?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Have students ever seen monarch butterflies in real life? Can they guess why these butterflies need help?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why Liam sends people seeds.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think skill sheet. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are lepidopterist, native, and pesticides.

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • The “Fly, Butterfly!” game lets students practice capitalization while reviewing the butterfly life cycle .

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the terms lepidopterist, native, and pesticides.

Editor’s Pick: Social Awareness (15 min.)

  • The Letter for Liam skill sheet provides a template for students to write thank-you notes. Send your class’s notes to the address printed on the template. Liam will love getting appreciation from his peers!

ELA Focus: Read a Diagram (15 min.)

  • Students will analyze a diagram and identify parts of a butterfly’s body with the Butterfly Diagram skill sheet.

ELA Focus: Compare/Contrast (15 min.)

  • Pair this issue with this month’s “Seaweed to the Rescuse?” issue. Then have students compare Julia’s and Liam’s efforts to help Earth with the Compare the Earth Helpers skill sheet.

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on butterflies:

  • “Butterflies Are Back!,” May/June 2020. Students will track the migration patterns and life cycles of monarch butterflies.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher Lexile level: 600L
  • Lower Lexile level: 460L