At Your School

As a family of former teachers, Greathouse Butterfly Farm has a soft spot for educators. In the 10 years since we started farming butterflies, we have made it our mission to inform public and private school students about butterflies and the environment. We are working on grade-specific curriculums to help Florida’s teachers. Greathouse Butterfly Farm produces Grow-A-Butterfly Kits, Adopt-A-Butterfly Kits, Butterfly Hatcheries and Painted Lady larvae cultures for teachers.

Classes and groups come to our farm for educational field trips where they learn about butterflies, insects, plants and recycling. Greathouse Butterfly Farm is committed to sharing our love for Florida’s butterflies and it’s natural history with generations to come.

Feel free to explore the information below, and if you have any questions, don't hesistate to contact us.

School Programs

Learn about nature's beauty from the comfort of your classroom.

Grade Level: Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Program Description: Students will learn about butterflies, insects, and plants. They will learn more about the life cycle of a butterfly and that all living things have basic needs, such as air, food and water. They will also gain a better understanding of how important camouflage and adaptive methods are for survival.

Learning Goals: Activities are designed to integrate science, language arts, math and social studies.

Teaching Methods: Classroom visits use a different combination of teaching methods that include hands-on demonstrations and learning activities directly involving the students. At the conclusion of the visit, each teacher will receive two Grow Your Own Host Plant Science Kits for their class to enjoy.

Objectives: At the conclusion of a Greathouse Butterfly Farm program, kindergarten through second grade students should:

Use listening strategies effectively (LA.C.1.1).
Understand the patterns of function in living things (SC.F.1.1, SC.F.1.2, SC.F.1.3,SC.F.1.4).
Understand the competitive, interdependent, cyclic nature of living things in the environment (SC.G.1.1, SC.G.1.2, SC.G.1.3, SC.G.1.4).
Understand the consequences of using limited natural resources (SC.G.2.1, SC.G.2.2).
Understand the scientific processes and habits of mind to solve problems (SC.H.1.1,SC.H.1.5).

Third through fifth grade students should:

Know that all living animals depend on plants (SC.F.1.2.3).
Know that all living things compete in a climatic region with other living things and structural adaptations make them fit for an environment (SC.G.1.2.2).
Know that all living things must compete for earth’s limited resources and that organisms best adapted to compete for available resources will be successful and pass their adaptations (traits) to their offspring (SC.G.2.2.1).
Know that the size of the population is dependent upon the available resources within the community (SC.G.2.2.2).

Additional Information

Program Length: One our for a group of up to 60 students.
Fees: Fees are based upon the distance to your site from the farm: $100 for 30 miles or less, $125 between 30 and 45 miles, and $150 for 45 miles or more.
Confirmation: A valid e-mail address will be needed for confirmation and communication.
Deposit: A minimum of 25 percent of the total bill must be paid before a classroom trip is scheduled. Payment in full is due to the presenter the day of the classroom visit.
Program Organization: Directed lesson and a hands-on activity.
Scheduling: Call (352) 475-2088 to check availability, mail in confirmation and deposit, and come have fun while you learn. We look forward to hearing from you!