Grades 2–3
Life Cycle Words
Match larva, pupa, metamorphosis, tadpole, froglet and gills to their meanings, then fill in a short life cycle story.
Science worksheet · Butterfly and frog life cycles
Butterfly, Frog or Both?
Sort ten facts into butterfly, frog or both: a compare and contrast sheet for two life cycles.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–3
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Life cycles, Metamorphosis, Sequencing
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Write the number of each fact in the right part of the diagram.
- 1. starts life as an egg
- 6. the adult has wings
- 2. lays eggs in water
- 7. goes through metamorphosis
- 3. lays eggs on a leaf
- 8. babies breathe with gills
- 4. makes a chrysalis
Teacher tip
This works as a quick Venn diagram review. Draw two hoops on the floor and sort the facts as a class first.
How to use it
- Show a short time-lapse video of a caterpillar or a tadpole before the sheet.
- Raise butterflies or tadpoles in class if you can, and use the sheet as a record.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Mixing up chrysalis and cocoon. Butterflies make a chrysalis; many moths spin a cocoon.
Talk about it
- How is a caterpillar different from a butterfly?
- How could we find out if that is true?
Take it further
Make a paper plate life cycle wheel with a brad in the middle.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More butterfly and frog life cycles worksheets
Grades K–2
The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly to color and trace, plus a butterfly with matching wings to draw.
Grades K–2
The Life Cycle of a Frog
Eggs, tadpole, froglet and frog to color and trace, plus two quick questions about frogs.
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