FORT MYERS, Fla. ( May 26, 2016)
Shell Point Retirement Community recently welcomed 44 students from the Gladiolus Learning and Development (GLAD) Center for a hands-on, educational visit to the Shell Point Butterfly Habitat, located on The Island. The tour coincided with the GLAD Center’s study unit about butterfly lifecycles in late April.
Students listened to a lesson about metamorphosis by Shell Point resident Lynda Freisner, who described the process of cultivating an attractive garden. Children searched for winged insects from the Butterfly Habitat’s shaded observation deck, while referencing photographs of frequently spotted butterflies.
The children also teamed up with residents from the nearby King’s Crown assisted living facility to identify caterpillar species and chrysalises using magnifying glasses.
The GLAD Center students closed out their visit by enjoying sugar-glazed cookies in the shape of a Monarch butterfly and completing a butterfly-themed craft project with King’s Crown residents. “It was rewarding to witness these intergenerational interactions as the children shared stories of how butterflies had hatched in their own classroom,” shared Morgan Clayman, assisted living activities supervisor. Continue reading “Shell Point Welcomes Local Students for Educational Butterfly Habitat Expedition”