Life cycles are an important part of different Montessori subjects and branches of science. They bring a sense of newness.
Science is a great hands-on learning subject in the Montessori science curriculum for ages three to six. Students learn science life cycles best in a specific order. We humans also have a life cycle.
In Montessori children (ages 3-6) learn science life cycles in a structured order. They begin with Botany (study of plants), followed by Zoology (study of animals). Furthermore, the study of life cycles bridges the gap between the two subjects.
As Montessori learning encourages realism and beauty in materials, children learn best using worksheets and toys and going directly to the lap of nature.
Here I will share with you my absolute favorite Montessori science activities. I will thoroughly cover Montessori life cycle lesson plans, science activities, plant life cycle, the life cycle of a frog, the life cycle of an apple, the butterfly life cycle, and the life cycle of a star.
Montessori Science Life Cycle Lesson Plans:
While preparing Montessori science life cycle lesson plans, I always guide children through the fascinating life of life cycles of butterflies, frogs, apples, stars, and plants.
I also follow a specific order so that children learn these life cycles step by step:
- Life Cycle of Butterflies
- Life Cycle of Frogs,
- Life Cycle of Plants
- Life Cycle of Apple, And
- Life Cycle of Stars
Montessori Life Cycle Of Butterfly:
One of my favorite Montessori life cycle activities is teaching young children the life cycle of butterflies. For this, I use two different methods.
In my first method, I provide students with a blank butterfly outline and tell them to paint only one-half of the butterfly using Q-tips and water-based paint.
Next, I instruct them to fold the paper in half to create a symmetrical print. After that, I start to tell them:
- How a butterfly lays eggs on the leaves of the plant
- Next, the eggs hatch and turn into larvae.
- These larvae next turn into caterpillars
- In their next stage they become a pupa
- After 15 days they become a full-grown butterfly
- The entire transformation process is called metamorphosis.
As the perception of my students becomes clear about the life cycle of a butterfly, I introduce them to a more detailed analysis.
For this, I sometimes take my students outside the classrooms and tell them to note all the details they observe.
Stage 1
- A butterfly’s life cycle starts with its laying eggs on the leaves of a plant.
Stage 2: Larva (Caterpillar)
- Gradually these eggs hatch. Next larvae or caterpillars come out of the eggs.
- These caterpillars first start feeding on the eggshell from which it is born.
- After that, they feed on leaves and begin to grow.
- A caterpillar needs to shed its skin several times to continue growing.
Stage 3: Pupa (Chrysalis)
- When a caterpillar grows big enough, it stops eating.
- Then, it forms a chrysalis, a protective layer around itself.
- We call it pupa now.
- Inside the chrysalis, the pupa remains still.
- Furthermore, it undergoes a series of changes inside it.
Stage 4: Adult Butterfly:
- In about 15 days a beautiful mature butterfly comes out from the chrysalis.
- In this stage, the wings of the butterfly remain small and wet
- The butterfly pumps fluids into its wings to make them strong and expand.
- After a few hours, the wings become strong enough, and the butterfly can fly.
Metamorphosis:
Metamorphosis refers to the series of changes in the life cycle of a butterfly.
Life Cycle Of A Frog:
It is almost impossible for me to show my students and my young children the actual life-cycle of frog –from the beginning to the end. Hence, I use clay models to make them understand the life cycle of a frog.
In addition to this, colored wallpaper depicting the life cycle of a frog also comes in handy.
The life cycle of these tiny amphibians start with a female frog laying thousands of eggs, usually in a pool or a pond. Depending on the species of the frog these eggs vary in size, color, and shape.
Protected with a jelly-like substance (also known as spawn) these eggs float on the surface of the water. However, natural calamities like rain and storm destroy most of the eggs. Therefore, a male frog can fertilize a handful of eggs (external fertilization).
Stage 1 (Tadpole Stage):
After a couple of days these eggs hatch. Then a baby frog, known as tadpole, emerges .In this stage it looks more like a fish than a frog. To survive it feeds on the yolk of the egg from which it emerged.
Gradually, these tadpoles develop external gills. These gills help them breathe underwater. As time passes their tails elongate and fins grow. As they continue to grow, they feed on plants and algae for several weeks.
Stage 2 (Froglet Stage):
Next, after a couple of weeks their external gills start disappearing and hind limbs start appearing.
They remain in this state for a few more weeks and then the tadpoles begin to look somewhat like frogs as it transforms into a froglet.
Another significant change is seen in this stage. Tadpoles begin developing fore limbs and lungs for breathing outside water.
Stage 3 (Adult Frog Stage):
Finally their tails become smaller and smaller and eventually disappear. Then, the young frogs hop out of the water onto dry land for the first time.
Over the next couple of years, it enters the adult stage and the life cycle continues.
Life cycle Of a Plant Montessori:
Children from a young age should learn about all living things including plants that have a specific life cycle that keeps their species alive. First of all they should know what a life-cycle is.
A life cycle is the developmental stages that occur during an organism’s lifetime. Thus the life cycle of a plant is the stages a plant experiences from its birth to its death.
Stage 1 (Seeds):
Seeds that act as the embryo of the plant contain essential nutrients and an outer coating for protection.
Wind, explosion, animals, birds and water disperse seeds across the land. When the seeds meet the soil with favorable conditions such as oxygen,water,and the right temperature , they germinate and begin their life’s journey.
Stage 2. (Germination and Seedling)
First of all the seed breaks its outer coat and begin to grow its first leaves and roots. At this stage, we call the young plant a seedling.
Gradually, the leaves and roots of the seedling start to develop and function. Moreover, the roots absorb nutrients .Simultaneously; the leaves begin the process of photosynthesis to produce food.
Stage 3. (Growing to Maturity)
In this stage we see the maturity of the plant. Its roots grow stronger. In addition, its branches and leaves significantly increase. Most importantly, the plant becomes ready to produce flowers and new seeds.
Stage 4. (Flowering, Pollination, and Seed Formation)
A mature plant begins to produce flowers from its modified shoots. The majority of the flowers contain male and female parts.
We call the female part pistil that consists of the stigma, style, and ovary. Conversely, we call the male stamen that consists of the anther and filament.
Here I must say that during pollination the male part of the plant transfers pollen to the female part.Most importantly, this process helps in producing the seeds.
In most cases pollination occurs naturally. Natural pollinators, like insects, birds and mammals act as catalysts.
When pollination is successful, the flowers transform into fruiting bodies that protect the seeds inside.
Stage 5. (Seed Dispersal)
Finally, the plant produces seeds, which need to be dispersed to favorable places where they can germinate and restart the life cycle.
Above all, I advise my students to prepare a chart of the stages of the plant life cycle.
Montessori Life Cycle Of An Apple:
I always find it interesting to teach my students the life cycle of an apple.
Here’s how I present to them the life cycle of an apple:
Stage 1: (The Seed)
An apple begins its journey as a seed. We plant these seeds in the soil, or natural pollinators disperse them in the soil, where they begin to grow
Stage 2 :(Sprouting)
After a couple of weeks, the seeds emerge from the soil as sprouts.
Stage 3: (Bud Formation)
In about three to five years, buds form on the tree
Stage 4: (Blossoms & Pollination)
Next, these buds start to create blossoms
Furthermore, these beautiful blossoms of the apple tree attract natural pollinators like bees to the tree.
In about 10 days, the blossoms will fall off. Finally, apples will begin to grow in their place.
Stage 5: (Fruit Growth & Harvesting)
Soon enough the apple will produce ripe apples- ready for picking.
Stage 6: (Rotting & Regeneration)
At the end of the season, the leftover apples will rot and provide nutrients for the soil.
Montessori Life Cycle Of A Star:
Apart from teaching the life cycles of plants and animals, I always find it necessary to teach my young students about the universe.
I often talk about stars, planets, comets, and many extraterrestrial phenomena.
Such being the case, I include the life cycle of stars while teaching them about other life cycles.
The life cycle of a star starts with a nebula, a big cloud of dust and gas. When the attractive force of gravity pulls the dust and gas together, it starts to form the structure of the protostar.
Over time, more and more particles collide and join the protostar.As a result, it grows larger and larger. Moreover, its gravitational force grows stronger allowing it to attract even more dust and gas.
The protostar becomes denser and hotter because gravity starts to compress it.
In the end, a complex process called nuclear fusion occurs. This process releases massive amounts of energy which keeps the core of the star hot.
We now officially call it a star, or more precisely, a main sequence star.
Main Sequence Stars:
At this stage nuclear fusion begins and it stabilizes the star for billions of years.
Red Giant (for small/medium stars): over time the star expands and in the end becomes a white dwarf. Later it cools and turns into a black dwarf.
Red Supergiant (for massive stars): As the star expands further, it ultimately explodes in a supernova.
Final Destiny:
Neutron Star: (if the core is moderately dense)
Black Hole 🙁 If the core is extensively massive)
Sumanta De is an educator. He has been teaching students for more than 16 years following the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. He has a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
He is nurturing his children abiding by the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. His passion for Montessori methods goes beyond the classroom.
Hence, he shares his experiences and insights through a dedicated Montessori blog and a YouTube channel under the name “NewChild Montessori”. He aims to offer valuable guidance to both parents and educators.
Education: M.A. English, Masters in Child Psychology & Bachelor’s Degree in Montessori Teachers Training