Love Those Lepidopterans!

A WebQuest
for Second Grade
about
Butterflies and Moths

Designed by
Jill Bracksieck

jbracksieck@milforded.org
 
 
 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

  Introduction
 

It's a warm, sunny spring day, and you are sitting in your school's garden, enjoying the beautiful flowers. You see some children walking by. Suddenly, you notice them pointing with excitement at a butterfly. "What kind is it?" they ask you.

On this quest you will become an expert lepidopterist--a scientist who studies butterflies and moths (also known as lepidopterans).
 
 



  The Task

You will complete the following tasks:

  • learn to tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth
  • choose a butterfly or moth to research
  • create and share a report on your butterfly or moth to present to the class
  • Use your new knowledge to identify butterflies and moths


  The Process
 
PART 1: What's the Difference Between a Butterfly and Moth?

 With a partner, read about butterflies and moths by clicking here: 
 Butterfly or Moth?

 You can also use Eyewitness Explorers: Butterflies and Moths by
 John Feltwell to help you.

 Print out a Venn diagram and complete to show the differences and 
 similarities between a moth and a butterfly.

 

PART 2: Learn About Butterflies and Moths

 Click below to see different lepidopterans. Choose one to research. 
 

Silkworm

Painted Lady

Tiger Swallowtail
Luna Moth
Blue Morpho
Jumping Bean Moth
Zebra Swallowtail

Queen Alexandra's Birdwing


  Print out the information sheet for the insect you chose.

 

PART 3: Learn More!

  Click below to learn more information about your specific lepidopteran.
 

Silkworm

Painted Lady

Tiger Swallowtail
Luna Moth
Blue Morpho
Jumping Bean Moth
Zebra Swallowtail

Queen Alexandra's Birdwing


  Print out this information sheet too.

 

PART 4: Write Your Report

  Use your information to write a short report on your lepidopteran. Be 
 sure to include:
 

  • habitat and range
  • wingspan
  • caterpillar (larval) food
  • adult food
  You may want to include special features or interesting facts.

 

PART 5: Create a Poster

  1. Create a poster of your butterfly or moth on white tag board.
      Use your information sheets to draw a realistic picture.
      Pay attention to the shape and the colors of your insect.

  2. Cut out around the border of the insect.

  3. Don't label your lepidopteran!
      Later your classmates will have to determine
     whether it is a butterfly or moth.

  4. Paste your research report on the back of your butterfly.

 

PART 6: Share Your Work

  1. Hold up your poster. You will call on 3 students.

  2. They will ask you questions to try to figure out whether your insect
      is a butterfly or a moth.
       (No one can ask directly, "Is it a butterfly or moth?")

  3. After 3 questions, students will decide what your insect is by
      holding up a butterfly card or a moth card (you will get these from 
      your teacher).

  4. Now you get to reveal the identity of your insect! Tell the class 
      whether your insect is a butterfly or moth.

  5. Share your report with the class.
      Explain why you chose your lepidopteran!

 



  Evaluation
 
Beginning

1

Developing

2

Outstanding

3

Score
Venn Diagram
You included 1 piece of information in each section.
You included 2 pieces of information in each section.
You included 3 pieces of information in each section.
 
Poster 
You completed a poster.
You completed an accurate poster.
You completed an accurate poster with lots of details.
 
Report
Your report includes some facts about insect.
Your report makes sense and includes all required facts about insect.
Your report makes sense, is neat and includes extra facts about insect.
 


  Conclusion

Congratulations!!! You are now an expert lepidopterist! You have learned about 6 different kinds of lepidopterans (butterflies and moths). You have learned how to tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly. Way to go--hope you had fun!

If you'd like to learn more about butterflies, check out these cool sites!

AllAboutButterflies.com

BillyBear's Butterfly Page

Children's Butterfly Site

CFF Kids Butterflies



  Credits & References

Websites:
 

AllAboutButterflies.com

National Audobon Society Field Guides

Jumping Beans


Books:
 

Feltwell, John. Eyewitness Explorers: Butterflies and Moths

Hamilton, Kersten. The Butterfly Book


Template and Training provided by:
 

The WebQuest Page

Debbie Hourigan, Beth Maroney, Janet Scire and Janet Wislocki 
 

A special thank you to
Ruth Mohr
for her inspiration, guidance,
and love of butterflies!

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits


Last updated on June 28, 2001. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page