Teacher Workshops

Logistical Details

Date: 2/22/25
Time: 9:00 – 12:00
OPI Renewal Credits: 3
Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members

Workshop Description

Join the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium to dive into the world of rearing captive butterflies in elementary classrooms. This training is perfect for teachers with varying degrees of comfort with using live butterflies in the classroom. Teachers who have always wanted to raise live butterflies in the classroom but weren’t sure where to start will gain confidence in the biology and logistics of this powerful teaching tool. Teachers who use live butterflies annually will gain a deeper understanding of butterfly biology, the ethics around releasing captive raised butterflies, and more. Everyone will come away with new ideas and ready-made activities to help deepen their students understanding of the biologic process unfolding in front of them while igniting their curiosity and strengthening their questioning skills. Join us as we move beyond simple observations to harness and expand your students’ innate curiosities and enthusiasm to delve into the world of metamorphosis, life cycles, and more.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this training teachers will be able to:

• Confidently explain the biology of butterfly life cycles and answer a range of common questions often generated by elementary school age students.
• Assess the pros and cons of releasing captive, classroom-raised butterflies into their local ecosystems.
• Coordinate a native butterfly life cycle program utilizing area host plants.
• Plan a cohesive unit or series of lessons around butterfly life cycles that fosters curiosity and enthusiasm.

All Attendees Receive:

• Observation Journal template 
• Access to a dedicated website with resources from the workshop including: 
  • Prompts and extensions for connecting to ELA and math standards
  • Descriptions of, and links to, modeled activities and thinking routines
  • Vocabulary list
  • Answers to commonly asked elementary level questions
  • Links to a curated list of our favorite online metamorphosis resources
  • Links to reputable purchasing links
  • PDF of presentation slides
• Vocabulary List
• Snacks