Butterfly Wings Tissue Art
Level 2 deepens science and art integration.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Summer Time
- Learning area: Nature
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Explain metamorphosis
- create overlapping colour effects.
Instructions
Materials
- White coffee filters
- Washable liquid watercolors or diluted food colouring in small cups
- Pipettes or medicine droppers
- Black sugar paper cut into butterfly body shapes
- Glue sticks
- Trays or plastic mats for drying
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate fine motor control by using a pipette to transfer liquid.
- Observe and describe the process of colour mixing when two colours touch on the paper.
- Identify the concept of symmetry by folding the filter to create matching wing patterns.
- Explain the basic stages of a butterfly life cycle during the creative process.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Lay out a plastic tray for each child to prevent liquid from soaking the table surface.
2. Provide each child with two flat coffee filters and a set of pipettes.
3. Demonstrate how to squeeze the pipette bulb to draw up liquid and release it slowly onto the filter.
4. Encourage children to place dots of different colours near each other to observe how the colours bleed and overlap.
5. Once the filters are saturated, guide the children to fold the filters in half while wet to create a symmetrical colour pattern.
6. Place the damp filters on a drying rack or a sunny windowsill.
7. Once dry, help children pinch the centre of the filters to create a ruffled wing shape.
8. Assist children in gluing the centre of their wings to the black sugar paper butterfly bodies.
9. Lead a brief group discussion about how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly with colorful wings.
Educator Tip
To prevent the paper from tearing, remind children to touch the pipette tip lightly to the surface rather than pressing down hard. If a child struggles with colour mixing, ask open ended questions about what happens when blue and yellow meet to encourage scientific inquiry.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can successfully manipulate the pipette to control the amount of liquid used.
- Note the child's ability to describe the result of two colours overlapping on the filter.
- Confirm the child can identify the butterfly as the final stage of the metamorphosis cycle.
Assessment
Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observe reasoning, colour mixing understanding.