In this post, we’re offering a FREE 1st grade decodable about butterflies. In this phonics story, Rob describes various types of butterflies. There’s also some reading comprehension questions at the end:
For the decodable “Can Rob Catch Butterflies,” click on the above link.
This phonics story includes long vowel sounds and the most common sight words.
In the story, kids can learn about some of the most beautiful and strangest butterflies including: Morpho, Monarch and Glasswing.
With an 5-8 inch wingspan, the morpho is one of the largest butterflies. There are about 29 different types of morpho butterflies and all are marvelous and a brilliant blue color. This butterfly is famous for its radiance and beauty. And for good reason. Morpho butterflies live in Central and South America. In the 1600s, Maria Merian, a painter and butterfly fanatic in Europe saw a sample of the morpho butterfly. She became so enamored by the morpho butterfly that she got on a ship and traveled to South America to see one in-person. During that time, ships were incredibly dangerous and had very high mortality rates. Her daring venture proved successful, as she was able to see live morphos and bring samples back home.
The monarch butterfly is certainly one of the most beautiful butterflies as well. The monarch is a vibrant orange color, much like the hue of a poppy wildflower. It’s known for its long migration from Canada or the northern US to Mexico. They can travel 25 miles a day. They are so delicate, as they lose some of the scales on their wings, yet so strong.
The glasswing butterfly is clear. They can blend in with their environments very well, as you can see-through their wings.
Herman Strecker was a butterfly collector in the 1800s. He worked as a stone carvesman. However, after work, he entered his butterfly lab where he studied butterflies. He collected butterflies first from local fields, and later, from other butterfly collectors around the world. He had the largest butterfly collection in American history at 50,000 butterflies. Now, his collection is in a museum in Chicago.
I hope your 1st grader enjoys learning about butterflies!
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