Montessori Materials for Parts of the Butterfly Activity

Once the child has learned about the different types of invertebrates, particularly the Arthropods, they might be interested in learning about the parts of the butterfly.

Butterflies belong to the arthropod classification. Arthropods are bilaterally symmetrical animals with 3-segment bodies.

Before learning about their parts, have the child observe an actual butterfly (or model) to help them have a more concrete grasp on the subject.

Table of Contents

Materials to Support Learning the Parts of the Butterfly
Printable Activities to Learn the Parts of the Butterfly
Explore Other Parts of Invertebrates
Explore Other Parts of Vertebrates

Materials to Support Learning the Parts of the Butterfly

Butterfly Puzzle

Includes knobs for easier holding and parts involving different parts of the animal, which helps isolate the part from the whole.

Butterfly Kit

This allows your family to observe the development of butterflies up close.

Butterfly Model

You can use the butterfly object if you already have a life cycle miniature objects. Here’s what I recommend that has most of the parts visible:

You can also provide printable materials to support this learning and help the child know the different parts of the butterfly.

Printable Activities to Learn the Parts of the Butterfly

The Parts of a Butterfly Activity helps kids improve their reading skills and learn the right names for animal parts, which helps them build their vocabulary. This also encourages the appreciation for nature.

1. Montessori Zoology 5-Part Nomenclature Cards

This learning material have a yellow border around each card. Color coding is used to tell apart the different classes of the Animal Kingdom in Montessori. The color yellow is used to identify the class of arthropods, which includes creatures such as crabs, lobsters, scorpions, shrimp, spiders, lice, ticks, termites, butterflies, beetles, and centipedes.

This includes a set of cards with 5 parts including the definitions and a booklet with descriptions about each part of the butterfly. This is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 6.

Material

Each part of the butterfly has a set of 5 cards made up of:
1. Control card – contains the picture and label; it allows the child to SELF-CORRECT when matching the picture card and the label card.
2. Picture card – allows the child to focus on the image alone to examine the details better. It can also be matched to the control card for non-reading learners to help them engage in learning each of the cards individually.
3. Label card – aids in name identifying, reading, spelling, and writing. It is matched to the picture card and the child determines correctness using the control card.
4. Definition card – serves as the control card for matching the blank definition card with the label card.
5. Blank definition card – provides an engaging activity for the child to better remember the definitions. This is matched to the label card and the control card with image and label.

Prerequisite

– Some experience with an actual butterfly (or a model), if possible (See above)
– Child should make observations for a week of each part of the butterfly

Control of Error

– Control Cards

Direct Aims

– learn about the different parts of the butterfly
– develop their understanding of the definition of these parts

Indirect Aims

– Improve child’s vocabulary
– Develop reading skills
– Learn the basics of zoology

Presentation

The Montessori guide teaches children how to use Zoology Nomenclature Cards through two presentations

– First, the guide lays out the control cards and demonstrates how to match the picture and label to the control.
– Next, the student matches the pictures and labels, and checks their work with the control of error cards.
– Use the definition card to describe each part.
– Once the children are familiar with the definitions of the parts of the butterfly, give them the corresponding definitions to match with the pictures.
– Then allow the child to match the blank definition card with the label card.

Zoology Nomenclature Cards are unique to Montessori classrooms and provide an engaging alternative to textbooks and worksheets. They are a beautiful resource that encourages children to learn concepts, rather than rush through to finish a worksheet.

Get the Cards & BOOKleTs here

2. Control Chart and Fill-in Posters

After learning the individual parts of the butterfly, display the wall chart and invite the child to make her own wall chart of the parts of the sponge with these printable poster sheets of 3 different charts:

With color and label
Without color, with label
Without color, without label

montessori zoology invertebrates parts of the butterfly anatomy 5 part cards and booklet

*Sign-up to our newsletter and get the control charts for free! Or get these in a bundle with other vertebrates control charts HERE at $2/set!