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🦋 Week 33: Resurrection & New Life Science

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 3-4
Duration 40 minutes
STREAM Focus S (Science), R (Religion)

Week 33: Resurrection & New Life Science

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Explain various life cycles in nature 2. Identify patterns of death and new life in creation 3. Conduct observations of living things 4. Connect scientific life cycles to broader patterns

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Connect new life in nature to Jesus's Resurrection 2. Understand death and resurrection as a pattern God built into creation 3. Recognize Easter hope in everyday science

Week 33: Resurrection & New Life Science

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Resurrection and New Life — Easter celebrates the greatest new life: Jesus rising from the dead. Creation is full of "mini-resurrections" — seeds dying to become plants, caterpillars transforming into butterflies, winter giving way to spring. God built hope into creation itself!

Scripture Connection

"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." — John 12:24

Saint Connection

St. Mary Magdalene — First witness of the Resurrection. She went from the despair of death to the joy of new life in one morning. Her story mirrors nature's pattern of darkness giving way to light.

📚 Materials Needed

  • Life cycle diagrams (butterfly, frog, plant)

  • Seeds and/or bean sprout samples

  • Magnifying glasses

  • Spring nature items (optional)

  • Art supplies for life cycle projects

  • Scripture cards

📝 Lesson Procedure (40 minutes)

Opening Prayer & Introduction (5 min)

Easter Prayer: "Risen Jesus, You conquered death and brought new life! As we learn about life cycles today, help us see Your resurrection reflected in all creation. Alleluia! Amen."

Easter wonder:

  • "What happened on Easter Sunday?"

  • "How is Easter like spring?"

  • "What 'new life' do you see around you?"

Life Cycles in Nature (12 min)

Explore three life cycles:

1. Butterfly Metamorphosis

  • Egg → Caterpillar → Chrysalis → Butterfly

  • The caterpillar's "death" in the chrysalis → beautiful new life

  • Complete transformation!

2. Frog Life Cycle

  • Egg → Tadpole → Froglet → Frog

  • Living in water → living on land

  • Dramatic change in body and abilities

3. Plant Life Cycle

  • Seed → Sprout → Plant → Flower → Fruit → Seed

  • The seed "dies" to become something greater

  • Jesus's teaching: "Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies..."

Pattern recognition:

  • What do all these life cycles have in common?

  • Something "dies" or transforms → new life emerges

  • The new life is often greater than what came before!

Faith Connection Deep Dive (8 min)

Jesus's teaching about seeds:

Read John 12:24: "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

Discussion:

  • "What was Jesus teaching about Himself?"

  • "How is Jesus like a seed?"

  • "What 'new life' came from His death?"

Pattern in creation:

  • God built this pattern of death→life into creation

  • Every spring "preaches" the Resurrection

  • Every butterfly is a sermon on new life

  • Creation points to the Creator's plan!

Personal application:

  • "Have you ever had something hard end and something better begin?"

  • "How might 'dying to self' bring new life?"

Life Cycle Project (12 min)

Choose one activity:

Option A: Life Cycle Diagram

  • Create detailed life cycle poster

  • Include stages and transformations

  • Add faith connection (Scripture or reflection)

Option B: New Life Writing

  • Write a poem or reflection about new life

  • Connect nature's patterns to Easter

  • Include scientific and faith elements

Option C: Seed Planting

  • Plant seeds to observe life cycle

  • Journal predictions

  • Connect to Jesus's teaching on seeds

Closing Celebration (3 min)

Share work and discoveries.

Wonder moment:

  • "What's the most amazing transformation in nature?"

  • "What does creation teach us about God?"

Faith Connection: "Every butterfly that emerges, every seed that sprouts, every tadpole that becomes a frog is a reminder: God brings new life from death. If He can do that in nature, imagine what He can do in our lives! Easter isn't just history — it's the pattern of the universe!"

Closing Prayer: "Risen Lord, thank You for the gift of new life — in nature and in our souls. Help us trust You when things feel like endings, knowing You bring beautiful new beginnings. We believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting! Alleluia! Amen."

✅ Assessment

  • Explained multiple life cycles

  • Identified pattern of death → new life in nature

  • Connected life cycles to Easter/Resurrection

  • Created life cycle project

📎 Home Connection

"We explored life cycles and Easter connections! Ask your child: 'How is a butterfly like Easter?' 'What did Jesus teach about seeds?' 'What patterns did you notice?' Look for signs of new life together this spring. Every sprout, every butterfly, every flower is a reminder of resurrection hope!"

Lesson Version: 1.0 | **