Cannibals

Sorry it's been so long...and no, I'm not going to bore you with the whys:).

We are doing a unit on animal life cycles in Science. Part of the kit we get includes live caterpillars and their food so we can watch them become chrysali and then butterflies. It's really amazing to see, and I'm so glad the kids can witness this beautiful transformation.

When we first get the caterpillars we put 2-3 in each little cup with food for them. During the chrysalis stage, they get moved to a butterfly box where we observe them briefly before releasing them. Each morning I come to school, I check the caterpillars to see what kind of progress they have made over night. Well, I look in Austin's cup. Yesterday he had 3, but now there are only 2 and a piece of one. I knew immediately what had happened - the 2 caterpillars had become cannibals. Now, to tell Austin the truth without traumatizing him. So I say, "Austin, I think one of your caterpillars is dead." (Really? Think? Just because there is a blood spattered midsection lying in the middle of the cup?) I proceed to say, "Remember that's why you got more than one, in case something happened to one of them." Austin seemed to take it pretty well. No tears, just confusion. I'm actually proud of him.

About 20 minutes later, Austin raises his hand and says, "I think the other caterpillars ate the dead one." Unfortunately, he is a pretty smart guy. At least he still thinks the caterpillar was already dead which isn't nearly as graphic as the truth.

I keep waiting for the animal rights activists to come and shut our operation down. It really does make me a bit quesy sometimes - what we do for education!