For the next few months, I will be teaching a pre-k class at the homeschool co-op that we attend on Fridays. My first day was today, and I spent the past week putting together a Very Hungry Caterpillar lesson plan. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared going into teaching this class, but everything worked out great, we finished right on time, and I think the kids had fun. If you want to replicate this lesson plan in your class, co-op or even at home for your own children, you can find all the components I used below.

Read: 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle


Worksheets: Tracing practice and Color the C's from the packet on Blooming Brilliant. This activity pack is free, and there are a wide range of other worksheets you can add for older children or longer class periods.


Snack Time and Counting Practice: For this, I cut a leaf shape out of white cardstock, and then drew on three little caterpillars. I made the circles of the different segments of the caterpillar about the size of a fruit loop. In class, we practiced counting from 1-5 and recognizing the numbers by placing fruit loops on them. After the activity was done, it was time for fruit loops and apple juice.


Very Hungry Caterpillar Hat Craft: I got this idea from itmom. All the pieces were cut out ahead of time, so all the kids had to do was glue on the antennae and eyes. Then, I measured each child's head and stapled the back closed so it would fit them.


Beautiful Butterfly Sensory Craft: This is an extremely easy craft that the kids really loved. The different textures and colors play well with children who are very sensory based. I basically took all kinds of odds and ends out of my craft supply, including different colored scraps of felt, cut up strings of beads, shiny red fabric squares, glitter foam pieces, and even streamers. The children chose what they wanted in their zip lock bags, and then the whole thing was tied closed with a green pipe cleaner.

If you have older children, or need the class to last longer, there are a ton of additional Very Hungry Caterpillar ideas available online. If you decide to use this lesson plan, I hope your children enjoy it as much as ours did!