This month, the students learned all about the butterfly life cycle. We had jars of caterpillars in the speech room. We observed them grow, build cocoons, and change into butterflies. Students learned about caterpillars and butterflies through language-enriched activities, including reading stories, creating butterfly crafts, and playing games. The students helped plan and prepare for a ‘butterfly party’ to celebrate their metamorphosis and the Spring season.
Preparing for the Celebration
All the students participated in preparing for the celebration. The younger students followed directions and recalled/ retold a sequence of events by creating butterfly crafts. The crafts were used to create a “photo booth” wall for the party. The older students were hired for jobs at the party and were paid in Atidaynu dollars. They practiced their social skills and learned conversation scripts for employees at a store. One speech group researched butterflies and created a presentation together.
Butterfly Party
The butterflies were finally ready to be released! Our party started off with an impressive presentation by speech group 3A filled with fun facts about butterflies. They demonstrated excellent public speaking skills! Next, students went to the newly opened ‘Atidaynu Grocery Store.’ The grocery store employees: Tzviki, Yehudah, Jack, Shmuel, and Hershy, greeted their customers and handed them items off their grocery list. Our cashier, Meir Simcha, took everyone’s payment. Then, our junior TA for the day, Chaim, explained to his classmates how to complete a healthy food craft.
The students used bananas, pretzels, apples, and raisins to make a butterfly. Last, students went outside for fun activities and to release butterflies. Meyer, Leiby, and Tzippy were our face painters and drew butterflies on students’ hands-and even some faces! Our talented photographer, Effi, took pictures of all the fun activities and of students at the photo booth. Students played ‘keep it up’ together using butterfly nets and balloons. The butterflies’ biggest fan, Miron, helped unzip the butterfly net and release the butterflies. We had so much fun preparing, learning, and celebrating our butterflies!