Leo's Colorful Story

Positives

• The resource includes simple and complex versions of the coloring sheet so teachers can choose the version that best fits their students' fine motor skills.
• The clear directions for the lesson plan and read-aloud story make this a valuable substitute lesson.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers may wish to pause the story frequently to check for comprehension and coloring progress.
• Students may have questions about the read-aloud story, especially the sections where Leo wiggled out of his skin and grew new skin.
• Students should have some prior knowledge of the word instinct relating to animals and insects.
• Vocabulary is rigorous for the age level, so teachers may wish to have visual representations of words such as forked, predator, camouflage, metamorphosis, toxins, and nectar.
  

Differentiation

• Teachers can assign shoulder partners for this assignment since the students can help each other find the correct numbers on the page and then offer encouragement for coloring according to the directions.
• Art teachers can begin with this lesson and then have students study photographs of other butterflies before assigning an art project involving acrylic paints.
• Science teachers will be able to begin a unit on metamorphosis with this entertaining lesson.
• After reading the story, consider showing students pictures of this insect in the various stages described.
• Students can research the impacts of climate change and human activity on the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.