Carefully and quietly, but at the same time scarcely able to contain their excitement, Grade 3 students gathered on the front steps of Keenooshayo School Wednesday and released their butterflies.
“Our butterflies have hatched! Our butterflies have hatched!” the children cried in very loud whispers as they ran out the front doors.
Each student held a little cardboard box sealed with plastic wrap and tape. One by one the kids gingerly peeled off the tape and got a close look at their very own orange and brown butterflies.
“They are painted lady butterflies and my butterfly’s name is Coby,” nine-year-old Kylee Knowlton said, adding it was Coby’s birthday.
Five weeks ago each student received a yellow/green-striped, purple/black caterpillar that was about three centimetres long.
“We had to put food out for them,” said Sydney ShelleyVials of the premixed food that was provided, but the children also tried giving the bugs some special treats such as lettuce and even a granola bar.
“It was a healthy granola bar. And if we used a magnifying glass, we could see their mouths and we could see them bite the food,” she said.
Kylee explained that the caterpillars ate for a few weeks before signaling they were ready to settle into their chrysalises.
“When their bodies were shaped like a ‘J,’ that meant they were ready,” she said.
The butterflies have been coming out of their chrysalises for the past week, but every time one breaks free it’s a big event in the classroom. The children learned the cocoons became almost see-through and they could see the colour of their wings.
“It’s a great way for the children to learn about life cycles. Each time one of the butterflies comes out of its chrysalis, the entire classroom stops and everyone has to watch,” said teacher Jody MacKenzie.
Surprisingly, not all the butterflies took off at once but waited instead for their wings to dry before leaving Keenooshayo.
