Have students divide a plate into four sections by using a marker. Each section will use pasta to represent a different part of the butterfly's life cycle. In stage one, they should glue orzo pasta on a leaf to represent butterfly eggs. Stage two consists of corkscrew pasta for a caterpillar, and stage three is a piece of shell pasta, painted brown or green, and glued to a twig for a chrysalis. Twisting a pipe cleaner around bowtie pasta will make a butterfly in stage four.
Children should fold pastel-colored construction paper in half and draw a kidney bean shape on one side, so that the side of the bean without the indentation is against the fold. Then, cut around the shape, leaving the folded edge uncut. Color one side to make it look like a butterfly. Fold the paper with the butterfly inside to its original fold line, and draw a caterpillar on one of the exposed sides. The remaining side should be colored like a chrysalis.
Divide the students up into groups or have them conduct individual research on the metamorphosis process of a butterfly. In addition to the research, they must also create a visual representation of the process, whether it be a PowerPoint slideshow, a cartoon or a drawing on a poster. Have each of them present the information that they learned, along with the visual aid, to the rest of the class or to younger classes in the school.
If you really want to teach your students about the cycle of a butterfly, purchase a kit to grow butterflies in your own classroom. As the butterflies go through each stage of the process, teach the children about exactly what is happening to the butterfly at that time. Students will actually be able to see the development of a butterfly before their own eyes, instead of just hearing about the process. These kits are relatively inexpensive and available online at a variety of outlets.