On March 12th, prior to beginning remote schooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four-year-old students in Ms. Robyn Dodge’s Pre-K class at St. Joseph School received a special package from Insect Lore, a company that provides tools to give learners insight into the world of insect metamorphosis. The package contained caterpillars that immediately spiked the children’s curiosity. The containers holding the caterpillars were small, clear cups that made it easy for the students to see the tiny larvae crawling around and feasting on the food at the bottom. Ms. Dodge immediately began her instruction. “The larvae will continue to eat their food and grow before your eyes,” she said as the students listened attentively. “They will shed their exoskeletons several times over the next seven to ten days.” Unfortunately, later that afternoon, families were notified that the school would be closed the following day and subsequently the following weeks. However, Ms. Dodge did not let that deter her from her class’s learning experience.
Utilizing ClassDojo, Ms. Dodge provided her students with updates on the larvae by posting photos and videos. As she predicted, approximately ten days after their arrival, the larvae climbed to the top of the containers and attached themselves to the undersides of the lids. There, they hung in a “J” shape, shed their exoskeletons one last time, and hardened into chrysalides. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Dodge moved them into a butterfly habitat. In a ClassDojo post, she updated and encouraged the students. “They’ve been in their chrysalides for over a week now. I will keep a close eye on them so you will get to see them hatch on video.” Ms. Dodge did not disappoint her students! With a special Easter post, Ms. Dodge shared videos of the Painted Lady Butterflies emerging from their chrysalides. At first, their wings appeared to be soft and crumpled, but the butterflies slowly stretched their wings and basked in the sun.
Although this lesson allowed the Pre-K students to develop a greater understanding of the amazing metamorphosis of butterflies, it was also a special lesson in their religion class. St. Joseph School utilizes the Loyola Press Religion Program, “God Made the World” and within the Pre-K curriculum there is a unit titled, “God Made Butterflies.” The focus of this unit is the scripture, “God has made a home for us in Heaven,” an adaptation of 2 Corinthians 5:1. Ms. Dodge chooses to teach this lesson closer to Easter because it also gives her students a better understanding of the resurrection of Christ. I explain to my students, “Jesus is like a caterpillar here on earth and then dies and goes into the tomb, which is like a butterfly’s chrysalis. Then, He rose from the dead just like the hatching of the butterflies. Now, Jesus has gone to heaven! He has prepared a special place for us.” This is an especially important concept for Pre-K children to understand and Ms. Dodge noted that her students tend to be sad when they learn about Jesus’ death. However, she explains that Jesus died to take-on all the hurtful things we have done and goes to a great place Heaven. This is always a special moment when the students begin to comprehend Jesus’ love for us.
Currently, the Painted Lady Butterflies are enjoying a sunny spot in Ms. Dodge’s home. Ms. Dodge is hopeful that she and her students will return to St. Joseph School soon, and she will release the butterflies with her students. Until then, she continues to provide regular updates during her remote lessons. To learn more about the four-year-old Pre-K program at St. Joseph School, take a virtual tour of Ms. Dodge’s classroom, or view the incredible video of her butterflies, please visit https://www.sjs-webster.com/
The St. Joseph School Pre-school and Pre-K programs provide a loving environment that gives children the opportunity to learn and grow emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially. An emphasis is placed on how we are created to be unique and the educational goal is to foster students’ talents and love of learning. Please call 508-943-0378 or email principal@sjs-webster.com for more information.
St. Joseph School is proud to be featured on the cover in the April 24, 2020 edition of the Webster Times.
