planning themes - butterflies

Our garden fairy theme is starting to morph into...
a butterfly theme!

I am busy in the planning stage and loving it,
 'pinning' ideas to my Pinterest Butterfly board

and making lists of good reference/story books at our library for my records.
Our library has an online service that allows me to put books on hold from other branches and have them sent to my branch for pick up.  I also use the online booklist to keep track of our favourites.
Very handy tools for busy Mums!

'A' chasing a blue morpho (age: almost 4...sigh!) 2006

During July we will be:

 ~ revisiting this Butterfly House
(that I used to work at years ago)

~ looking at butterfly wings under the microscope

~ drawing, painting, folding, and making 3D butterflies
(I have come across SO many fun art projects!)

~ decorating the house and garden with butterfly themed items

~ learning the body parts of the butterfly and caterpillar

~ learning how to identify butterflies and moths

~ playing butterfly math games

~ following the monarch's migratory route on the map

 
~ baking butterfly cookies

~ and reading lots of books!!!

...some of my favourites so far are... 

And here are a few links that I'll be referring to for the academic portion of our theme...

Playful Learning - 

http://playfullearning.net/our-monarch-caterpillars-are-here/

http://playfullearning.net/monarch-metamorphosis/

Eric Carle -

http://www.eric-carle.com/bb-VHC.html

National Geographic for Kids - 
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/animals-pets-kids/bugs-kids/monarch-butterflies-kids/ 

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/animals-pets-kids/bugs-kids/butterflies-kids/

I am still researching music and some documentary films on butterflies to round out our mini "curriculum".  Does anyone have any suggestions for any other fun activities?

Looking forward to a colourful July...
xoxo
 ~ joey ~