THE BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY

The Butterfly Conservatory 
American Museum of Natural History
October 6, 2012- May 27, 2013

In these last cold days of winter, nothing feels more uplifting than sunshine and butterflies.  The Butterfly Conservatory in the American Museum of Natural History is a yearly seasonal exhibition that is really magical, especially for city kids who don't get many chances to run on fields of flowers.  Entering the butterfly vivarium is like entering a pocket of summer- a bright, warm greenhouse where butterflies of all shapes, colors and sizes swirl around landing on majestic plants, sliced fruit and even us people.  Signs are posted everywhere not to chase or try to touch the butterflies, due to their extreme fragility.  I thought this would be a difficult rule for the pre-schoolers we had in our charge, but it turns out that the transcendental mood of the room is enough to awe even the most active learners.  Butterflies soared and swooped, and the guides were more than happy to answer questions and bring extra large specimen over so the kids could look at them up close.  In the middle of the room is a case of actual cocoons, that you can actually watch for the caterpillars being re-born as butterflies.  We saw a cocoon twitching and it looked like by the evening, there would be one more butterfly in the conservatory.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELVES (OR THE GUIDES):

1. How many different colors/ kinds of butterflies do you see?
2. Can you find a butterfly flying?  Eating an orange slice?  Resting on a plant?
3. What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?
4. How long do butterflies live?
5. Do all butterflies migrate?
6. Are butterflies an endangered species?

LINKS TO DIVE DEEPER:

Natural Museum of History Education Guide
How to Grow A Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Website
Handbook of Nature Study: Monarch Butterflies - The Outdoor Hour Challenge is one of the best nature study websites I have found online.  It's such a good resource for so many topics, and such a good way to get families outside and noticing the details and beauty of our surroundings.

EXTENSIONS:
For Parents: Butterflies are symbols of so many themes in our lives, none more so than when we have children.  Metamorphosis, migration, cocooning...these are all relevant to our lives as caretakers and parents.  I just finished the marvelous Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver which gave such an engaging look at the "King Billy" butterfly, the details and hardships of migration, and the dangers of global warming.  To teach our children to be stewards of the earth as well as active participants has never been more important, and they can only lead by example.

For Kids: Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and marvel at the transformation from one tiny egg to a beautiful butterfly.  A great go-along activity is to research and color your own butterfly chart.  The process is educational, but the end result could be a beautiful wall hanging.