The Very Hungry Caterpillar

We had a surprise in Nursery a few weeks ago when we were all still in school. Miss Varley sent us some teeny, tiny caterpillars as a present. We had to make sure that we looked after them and something amazing would happen to them. Everyone was excited to find out what would happen.

Our caterpillars continued to get bigger and bigger. Everyone, including the teachers, was amazed by how quickly they grew and how big they got. While we were watching them and observing what they were doing we learnt a story about a caterpillar- The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Everyone did a wonderful job of learning the words and telling it themselves. Can you remember the words?

If you forget the story you can find it and listen again here.

We continued to watch our caterpillars and then around the time we all had to stop going to Nursery they decided it was time to spin their chrysalis. First they climbed to the top and hung upside down. That’s how we knew they were nearly ready.

Miss Parker decided to take the caterpillars home so she could continue to look after them and also let all the Nursery children know what had been happening with them. Nothing happened for over two weeks…….. Miss Parker was just about to give up all hope when, pop, out came a butterfly! It was followed by 4 more. All 5 of our caterpillars had metamorphosed into butterflies. Miss Parker was lucky enough to see one of the butterflies emerge and filmed it so you could all see. He had to work so hard to push his way out and was so determined and resilient. Can you see how tiny his wings look when he first came out?

Click on this link to see the video of the Emerging Butterfly

After a day of watching the butterflies and taking some more videos for all the Nursery children to see, Miss Parker decided to release the butterflies. It was such a sunny day and they needed to go off and see the world.

You can see the videos Miss Parker took here, including one where you can see the butterfly using its proboscis to drink.

Click here to see the Butterflies Moving.

Click here to see the Butterfly Drinking with its Proboscis

Click here to see the Butterfly Flying

Finally, click here to see the Butterflies being released

Its a shame we didn’t get to see this altogether in Nursery but hopefully you’ve been able to see what happened through these videos. Maybe if you’re lucky there will be some more caterpillars in school one day and you’ll get to see it for yourself 🙂