Metamorphosis

Rationale for Teaching

It is necessary to explore metamorphosis with learners in order to help them understand the development processes of the natural world, their own and others physical transformations and their ability to manipulate and change things. Not only is this an opportunity to explore science as a subject but it is a chance for learners to see the role they play in the world and how they can have an impact on it through personal and physical change. By observing, discussing, and documenting transformation, learners understand that change is not only possible, but is also very probable, necessary, and benefits all living things. Although metamorphosis may directly refer to the biological transformation of insects, animals, or plants, it may figuratively represent many other things that undergo sequencing, phases, or progression of one sort or another. In this respect, many other disciplines besides science may be included. When metamorphosis is used figuratively, we may refer to anything that goes through a transition. Two of the disciplines that figuratively refer to metamorphosis is art: film and computer graphics and the language arts: stories about gods, super heroes, or people going through transformation, and sometimes poetry through verse, or alteration. Exploring concepts and vocabulary of plant life cycles, animal life cycles, ocean ecology, human growth development and the transformation of stories may find a unique and important home in the art classroom. Every student copes with change in almost every aspect of his or her life. Learners experience physical, emotional, and social changes that come with growing up; and inward perspective is evolving as well. Learners entering a new school and neighborhood are confronted with multiple transition challenges. Making friends means finding ways to be accepted into a complex social network. The challenges are compounded when the transition involves recent arrival in a new country or culture.

Key Concepts

• Metamorphosis is developmental transformation
• Metamorphosis is a change of physical form, structure or substance
• Metamorphosis is a striking alteration in appearance, character or circumstances

Essential Questions

• How can metamorphosis or transformation be shown visually?
• How do people change?
• Is the process of transformation as relevant as the end result?