For several weeks, both CE1 classes took part in a unique hands-on science project: watching the full life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly unfold in real time. Led in collaboration with the German DNL (Non-Linguistic Discipline) teachers, the project beautifully combined scientific discovery, language learning, and a sense of daily wonder.
To understand the stages in the life of a living organism, the children welcomed tiny caterpillars into their classrooms—barely 0.5 cm long at first! Each group tracked their daily changes: rapid growth, physical transformation, and behavior. After forming their chrysalises under the pupils’ watchful eyes, the butterflies emerged a week later: bright and beautiful Painted Ladies. Once they had adapted in a mini greenhouse, the butterflies were released into a specially prepared space, as the pupils wished them long lives… and many offspring!
The project took on an added educational dimension through the DNL sessions conducted in German. DNL allows subjects such as history, geography—or in this case, science—to be taught in a foreign language. At LfiSV, CE1 classes are mixed during these lessons to work together on practical, language-rich projects.
Through this butterfly project, pupils not only learned to recognize the developmental stages (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly), but also acquired key scientific vocabulary in German: die Raupe (caterpillar), die Verpuppung (chrysalis), der Schmetterling (butterfly), der Lebenszyklus (life cycle)…
They also practiced describing, sequencing, note-taking, and speaking—within a playful, collaborative, and engaging environment. A perfect example of interdisciplinary and intercultural learning.
This experience helped the children expand their curiosity, sharpen their observation skills, and develop vocabulary in two languages. It also strengthened ties between the two CE1 classes, encouraged cooperation, and raised awareness of the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
